Homicide Report > Donovan Morris, 34
Donovan Morris, 34
Died May 10, 2010 at 11:36 a.m.
Donovan Morris, a 34-year-old black man, was shot and killed by an LAPD officer Monday, May 10, in the 21000 block of Victory Boulevard in Canoga Park, authorities said.
The shooting took place more than three hours after Long Beach police responding to a domestic abuse call discovered Morris' wife, Ivy Bodkins, a 29-year-old white woman, dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Officers called to the scene at a downtown Long Beach apartment building learned from a family member that Morris had forced his wife out of the home at gunpoint.
While investigating, officers received a report that a woman's body had been found in the underground parking structure of the complex. Bodkins was pronounced dead at the scene, according to coroner's records.
During the investigation, Long Beach police obtained information that Morris was staying at a family member’s residence in Woodland Hills.
Investigators requested the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department, who located Morris' vehicle based on information provided in a radio call from Long Beach police, said Capt. Kris Pitcher, commanding officer of the LAPD Force Investigation Unit.
Police followed Morris' vehicle to a Best Buy in Canoga Park, Pitcher said. According to Pitcher, Morris exited the car and turned toward police holding a handgun. At that point, an officer fired at Morris, fatally wounding him, Pitcher said. There was no indication Morris fired his weapon during the incident with police, and a preliminary investigation found that Morris’ gunshot wounds came from the officer’s weapon, authorities said.
Morris was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he died at 11:36 a.m., according to coroner's record.
[For the record: The coroner's office initially incorrectly reported that Morris' shooting occurred near Victory Boulevard and Tampa Avenue about five blocks from the actual location. ]
— Sarah Ardalani
Top photo: Donovan Morris. Credit: DMV. Bottom photo: Donovan Morris lays on the ground after being shot by police. Credit: KTLA
- Neighborhood: Canoga Park
- Age: 34
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Monday
- Agency: LAPD Force Investigation
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
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11 reader comments about Donovan Morris
I thought this was the guy who killed his wife in Long Beach. He was killed by LAPD in front of Best Buy on Victory between Canoga and Owensmouth in Warner Center, not Victory and Tampa in Reseda. And, is it considered a homicide if he was killed by the police in the process of being apprehended?
May 19, 2010 at 11:21 a.m.
Lorraine
Yeah a homicide is death at the hand of another.. anyone.
May 20, 2010 at 8:16 a.m.
Who better than the LAPD to ask for help. Cops, in particular the LAPD, love to kill people. They are trigger happy murderes as well. Of course, all they have to say is that they fear for their life to justify any shootings and/or killings.
I'm sure the Long Beach PD, didn't want to get their hands dirty so they asked the LAPD to handle the dirty work. Not surprised at all. Two wrongs don't make it right.
May 21, 2010 at 10:34 a.m.
I remember him being smart, his smile and his ability to make others smile.
May 25, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.
I can't recall a day or time when my childhood friend, Donovan Morris was aggressive or angry toward anyone. I don't excuse what he done, but I just want to know what events occurred that lead to this violent act that he committed. I love him still the same as I remember him.
June 23, 2010 at 1:58 a.m.
i know the suspects daughter. He made a bad choice but he will be missed by her.
They left behind a 2 year old boy.
Aug. 28, 2010 at 3:14 p.m.
That's nice that you remember him so well, I wonder how Ivy's family remembers him... probably as the coward who put a gun to their daughter's eye and (literally) blew her brains out. This is a really sad story with a happy ending.
Oct. 16, 2010 at 9:03 a.m.
I hate what my dad did, but all those people who think he was a cold blooded killer and he should go to hell , you guys can shut your freaking mouths because you don't even know what your talking about. I understand what he did was wrong but he didn't do it himself I know he didn't.
April 11, 2011 at 7:31 p.m.
@ Gloria you need to get that biased attitude out of your head...Your Dad killed this young lady and he in return met his own demise...I am not one to pass judgement but I also am not one to sugarcoat reality....Facts are facts...If you kill the way he did you are considered a cold blooded killer...May GOd have mercy on his soul....
Nov. 21, 2011 at 2:57 p.m.
I knew this man when he was married to my daughter(his 1st wife). He was kind and an excellent father. He loved children and was good with all of them. He got into an accident while riding his bike. A car hit him, and really jacked him up. since that time he was never the same. something happened to his head. he was seeing and hearing things that were not there. It was not Donovan who killed his wife but who ever he turned into that did this terrible thing
March 24, 2012 at 12:43 p.m.
He had evil take over him
May 23, 2012 at 2:03 a.m.
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