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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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Police Hunt for Suspect in Skid Row Shooting Death

charles-colbert-LAPD.jpg
Charles Colbert (LAPD)

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LAPD Detectives took less than 24 hours to identify a suspect in the shooting death of 41-year-old Conrad "Dread" Phillip, who was gunned down early yesterday morning at 563 South Los Angeles Street on Skid Row. A warrant was issued overnight for 50-year-old Charles Colbert, who was last known to be living at the Pershing Hotel, an SRO located a block from the scene of the crime. Detectives connected Colbert to Phillip's murder "after viewing video footage and searching the victim’s history," said Lt. Paul Vernon, and found enough probably cause to issue the arrest warrant.

Just after 5 on Friday morning "security guards from several buildings reported hearing a gunshot," in the vicinity of the SB Lofts, and discovered Phillip, known for his dreadlocked hair and described as a popular Skid Row resident, "lying on the sidewalk," dead from a gunshot wound to the head, explains the LA Weekly.

A press release notes that the suspect "may also go by the name Anthony Williams. He is Black, 5’10” tall, with a thin build and a dark complexion. He should be considered armed and dangerous."

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