Braylon Williams, 22

Died Sept. 23, 2008 at 1:35 p.m.

Braylon Williams, a 22-year-old black man, was fatally shot in an alley in the Mar Vista Gardens housing project in the 4800 block of Marionwood Drive about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Los Angeles Police Department detectives said he was in the alley behind the complex when he was approached from behind by a gunman. The assailant fired a pistol, hitting Williams several times.

Police said the motive for the crime appears related to gang activity. The suspect was described as a Latino man, 18 to 20 years old, of medium height and build, wearing a black sweatshirt. He was last seen running along a flood control fence.

Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect is asked to call Pacific Division homicide detectives at (310) 482-6813.

—Andrew Blankstein

Update:

LAPD officials appealing for the public's help in solving this killing said they believe it is a gang-retaliation shooting. Lt John Romero said Williams was a gang member from outside the Mar Vista Gardens area visiting his girlfriend when he was shot multiple times with a 9-mm pistol. The assailant was described as a 16- to 18-year-old male Latino, about 5-feet-5 and weighing 150 pounds.

—Richard Winton