Security Guard Fatally Shot Outside Marina Del Rey Apartment Building
MARINA DEL REY (CBSLA.com) — Police are searching for the person who fatally shot an unarmed security guard Monday at an upscale apartment complex in Marina del Rey.
Witnesses in the 4200 block of Via Marina Court heard two male voices arguing, doors slamming and then two gunshots at around 2:45 a.m, Lt. Dave Dolson of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.
A witness saw a man running away from the scene.
Deputies arrived to the Shores apartment complex to find the security guard's body between two Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the parking lot, Dolson said.
The 47-year-old victim, identified by the LASD as Patrick Odoikyene, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was on-duty, supervising the complex's security team, and likely would have been one of the first to respond to a possible incident.
Investigators don't know if he was shot because of his patrolling duties.
LASD Capt. Reginald Gautt told KCAL9's Suraya Fadel investigators believe Odoikyene was the intended victim, although he declined to comment further. He said the victim has no prior criminal record to the knowledge of investigators.
Grief counselors were stationed at the complex for residents on Monday evening.
"My step-sister's car seems to be the main car where the altercation took place," said Chris Hammond, who was visiting the complex. "It's disconcerting to see that something like this would happen in an area that's upscale like this, in a community that's pretty tight-knit."
Witnesses said they saw a black man wearing dark clothing and a dark hooded sweatshirt running from the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident was urged to contact deputies at (323)890-5500. Anonymous tips can given at (800)222-TIPS (8477) or by texting the letters TIPLA, with the tip, to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be submitted at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
