Arrest made in murder of father-to-be outside South Los Angeles barbershop

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Monday, May 9, 2016
A gunman fatally shot 27-year-old Robert Ellis outside a barbershop in the 5500 block of S. Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles Friday, March 25, 2016.
A gunman fatally shot 27-year-old Robert Ellis outside a barbershop in the 5500 block of S. Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles Friday, March 25, 2016.
KABC

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An arrest was made in the brazen murder of a father-to-be outside a South Los Angeles barbershop, according to Los Angeles police.



The gunman was caught on surveillance video opening fire on a group of nine men at a strip center in the 5500 block of S. Vermont Avenue back in March.



Los Angeles police said the suspect, a 22-year-old known gang member, fired at least eight times, striking and killing 27-year-old Robert Ellis.



Ellis was not a gang member, according to detectives, and was simply waiting in line for a haircut. Ellis grew up in Torrance, miles from South L.A. and was only in the area to tend to his grandmother's home.



His mother said he was training to become a barber and had just learned he was going to be a father before he was killed.



MORE: $50,000 reward offered in murder of father-to-be outside South Los Angeles barbershop



Back in April, police announced a $50,000 reward was being offered in the case.



Officials were expected to announce more details during a news conference scheduled for Monday.

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