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Double Homicide in Compton: Suspect on the Run

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD) is currently searching for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman and her daughter in Compton, California, on April 1. According to a news release from the LACSD, the suspect, Donte Lamont Brown, 41, is wanted in connection with the deaths of Tameeka “La’von” Hall, 45, and her daughter Ma’Laysia “Lay Lay” Martin, 22.

Brown, who had a prior relationship with Hall, is currently deemed “armed and dangerous” by authorities. The tragic incident unfolded when Brown allegedly drove alongside Hall and Martin as they waited at a red light at the intersection of Caldwell Street and South Central Avenue, where he reportedly opened fire on their vehicle.

Witness accounts indicate that Hall exited her vehicle after being shot and collapsed on the ground. Brown’s vehicle, which was unoccupied at the time, reportedly fled the scene before crashing into a traffic signal pole.

Emergency responders arrived shortly after 7:05 p.m. following reports of a shooting, discovering Hall on the ground with gunshot wounds and Martin in the passenger seat of the vehicle, also wounded. Tragically, both victims were pronounced dead by the Compton Fire Department upon their arrival.

Debbie Shaw, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “My brother got murdered around the corner some years ago. I can’t imagine the pain they were going through at the time.” She lamented that witnessing such violence in the community is devastating.

Compton City Councilman Jonathan Bowers also spoke out about the incident, saying, “It’s just very tragic for our community. We don’t like to hear anything like that.” He called for an end to the violence that has plagued the area and emphasized the need for community safety.

Another neighbor, identified as Ronnie, shared her emotional response to the news, reflecting on the impact of violence on families: “When I heard on the news, being a mother and a woman, it just touched my heart.” She highlighted the heightened sense of danger in the community, even at social gatherings, and urged Brown to turn himself in, expressing hope for justice.

In the wake of the tragedy, Hall’s aunt Habeeb Rasheed and her brother Uron created a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs. The page describes the circumstances surrounding the victims’ deaths as “horrible” and pays tribute to Hall’s role as a nurturing figure within the community.

As the search for Brown continues, officials have not yet released additional information regarding the incident. Community members are left grappling with the aftermath of this violent act, hoping for resolution and justice for the victims.

For those experiencing domestic violence, assistance is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 or online at thehotline.org, providing toll-free, confidential support 24/7 in multiple languages.

Source
people.com