Eugene Ersek, 56 [Updated]

Died Jan. 13, 2011

Eugene Ersek, a 56-year-old white man, died Thursday, Jan. 13, five days after he was shot in the 13400 block of South Avalon Boulevard in Willowbrook, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Ersek was found on the ground with a gunshot wound in front of a liquor store Jan. 8 about 7:40 p.m.

He was taken to a hospital where he remained on life-support until his death Jan. 13 at 10:58 p.m. According to preliminary coroner's records, Ersek was shot in the face; however, it was later found that he was shot in the neck.

The coroner's office had no other information about the case. The Times has contacted investigators to obtain more details about the investigation and will post an update as soon as possible.

[Updated Jan. 31, 2:50 p.m.: Sheriff homicide Det. D. Retzlass, who is handling the case, said Ersek was the victim of a drive-by shooting.

At the time he was shot, Ersek was behind the liquor store, not in front, as previously reported by the coroner, she said.

Retzlass did not have description of the assailant or the getaway vehicle.

Anyone with information about the death of Eugene Ersek or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact Det. Retzlass at (323) 890-5553. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.]

— Sarah Ardalani