Authorities today identified a man who was killed in a shooting that left four other people wounded at what police called an all- night "pre-BET Awards party" at a restaurant in the Los Feliz District.
Police were dispatched at 5:17 a.m. Sunday to the Monalizza Restaurant and Banquet Hall, 1161 N. Vermont Ave. on a report of a shooting, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.
Lavell L. Smith, 33, died at a hospital, according to the LAPD. The conditions of the other victims were not immediately known.
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LAPD spokesman Drake Madison said a pre-BET Awards party was being held at the restaurant
"It was just a party for those who were planning to attend the BET Awards (Sunday night)," Madison said. "It had nothing to do with the BET Awards.
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The suspect was described as a black man, about 20-25 years of age, with black hair and a goatee." Police said the shooting may have been gang-related.
The BET Awards were held Sunday night at the Nokia Theatre at downtown's L.A. Live.
Anyone with more information on the crime was urged to call LAPD detectives DiCroce or Yamada at (323) 344-5731, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- TIPS.
—City News Service
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