According to witnesses, Lenard Jackson and a young girl were standing in an open area when a suspect came up and started shooting.
"They were shooting at both of them, but he covered my daughter up," said witness Mary Campbell.
Jackson was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead. The young girl was not injured in the shooting.
"He shielded the girl. In my book he is a hero," said Bennie Stewart, the victim's uncle.
The suspect fled the scene after the shooting. A deputy who happened to be in the area pursued the suspect, and then the deputy was involved in a shootout with the suspect at 92nd Street and Central Avenue. No one was injured, but the suspect was able to escape.
Authorities said they recovered a weapon at the scene, but it was unclear who the weapon belonged to.
It is unknown if the shooting was gang related. Authorities did not know if Jackson was a gang member.
No suspect description is available at this time. Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Southeast Division at (213) 972-7828.
