Edward Adams Jr., 53

Died June 20, 2008 at 8:47 p.m.

Edward Joe Adams, 53, a black man, was shot in the 1700 block of 65th Street near Hyde Park at about 7 p.m. Friday, June 20. Adams was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Adams was walking on the sidewalk when a black man approached and shot him with a 9 mm handgun. Police said nearby officers responded to a shots-fired call and found Adams lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound.

Adams' friend, Charles Hollmon, said he tied cardboard pieces on a fence, right above Adams memorial shrine. Friends wrote farewell notes on the cardboard pieces. "I didn't know E.J., but my heart aches to know that this man is now dead," an unknown woman wrote.

Hollmon said Adams often carried a gas can and asked  people for quarters. "Hay partner can you help me with two quarters?" Hollmon quoted Adam's on a cardboard piece. He ended it with a drawing of a gas can.

Hollmon said he and Adams occasionally worked at P.E. Russell and Sons Roofing, located near Western and 65th Place, just a street away from where Adams was shot. Hollmon said the business is owned by Adams' uncle.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call south Bureau Homicide Detective Chris Barling (213) 485-1383.