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Strip Club Manager Fatally Shot on 110 Fwy Was Possibly Targeted

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Photo by Peggy Archer via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

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A motorist who was shot and killed early yesterday morning on the 110 Freeway could have been the victim of a targeted hit. The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Ivan Spencer, the general manager of the Starz strip club in Gardena. "The club is owned by Spencer's girlfriend, which whom he lived in Rolling Hills," notes L.A. Now.

Spencer died Thursday morning after he was shot several times as he drove his vehicle; he ultimately crashed his car. The LAPD outline the events:

On Thursday, June 9, 2011, at around 2:30 a.m. the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a 9-1-1 emergency call from a motorist who was on the southbound 110 freeway at the transition to the eastbound 91 freeway. The CHP responded to the area and found a Black male, later identified as 55-year-old Ivan Spencer, a resident of Los Angeles, inside a champagne-colored Toyota Prius, suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. LAFD paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

Authorities believe Spencer may have been targeted, and say they are working to investigate numerous tips and conducting interviews with Starz patrons and employees.

The LAPD is asking for anyone who has information about Spencer's death to call Detective Sal LaBarbera, Criminal Gang Homicide Division, (213) 485-4341.

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