Homicide Report > Jovan Bronson, 19
Jovan Bronson, 19
Died Feb. 6, 2011
Jovan Bronson, a 19-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, Feb. 6, in the 5800 block of South Hoover Street in Vermont-Slauson, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
[For the record: An earlier version of this post, based on preliminary information from the coroner's office, listed the victim as an unknown male.]
Shortly after midnight, a witness called the owners of a wholesale auto-sales shop to alert them that a pair of men had hopped over the business’s fence, according to Det. Chris Barling, who oversees the homicide unit in LAPD’s South Bureau.
The men had removed the batteries from several vehicles by the time one of the owners arrived armed with a registered handgun, Barling said. One of the alleged burglars bolted and was attempting to climb over a fence when the owner fired a single shot that struck him in the buttocks area, according to Barling.
Immediately after the shooting, the owner called 911 to request paramedics, who took the suspect to a local hospital, Barling said. He was pronounced dead a short time later. The assailant has since been identified as Jovan Bronson.
Detectives did not release the name of the business owner.
The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation as detectives try to determine whether the owner was justified in using lethal force, Barling said. They are looking, for example, into whether the owner intended to fire a warning shot that inadvertently struck Bronson or was aiming intentionally at him. Another question to be answered is whether the owner reasonably feared for his safety at the time of the shooting.
Detectives are expected to present the findings of their investigation on Tuesday to prosecutors, who will decide whether to file criminal charges against the owner.
The second alleged burglar, Charles Netherly, 19-year-old black man, was detained at the scene and arrested. He is expected to face burglary charges, Barling said. Police found another alleged accomplice, Christina Sharp, a 19-year-old black woman, in a nearby alley and suspect her of being the erstwhile get-away driver. Both Netherly and Sharp were being held at the 77th Street jail on $20,000 bail.
Some or all of the three are suspected of being involved in a previous burglary of the same shop, Barling said.
The shop owner was interviewed and released.
— Joel Rubin and Sarah Ardalani
- Neighborhood: Vermont-Slauson
- Age: 19
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Sunday
- Agency: LAPD 77th
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Circumstance: Robbery
- Crime scene: Commercial building
64 reader comments about Jovan Bronson
That's what happens when you take what isn't yours!
Feb. 8, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
Getting shot while stealing batteries. A double case of lead poisoning!
Feb. 8, 2011 at 2:27 p.m.
I rather scared the thief off by shooting to the air and sleep with a clean conscious. I'm sure the owner of this business will have many sleepless nights for the rest of his life for taking a human's life away for over a couple of car batteries.
Feb. 8, 2011 at 3:51 p.m.
@Jag, I absolutely agree.
Feb. 8, 2011 at 5:09 p.m.
With a rapier wit like that you're really giving Oscar Wilde a run for his money, syscom3. But before you get too pleased with yourself, why don't you ask yourself why a person who is clearly running away and trying to escape needs to be shot in the back?
Feb. 8, 2011 at 5:16 p.m.
man these folks kill people for stuff they obtained on a bank loan!!!!scary...and mister car lot owner if you can read this much english I hope you dont think 10
batteries = a life you fooly!Rest in Peace kid
Feb. 8, 2011 at 6:35 p.m.
Regardless JoJo will be missed. What happens after the jokes and laughter... Is that a young man lost his life any a child will be fatherless and there are many factors that could have changed his out come... But if we would have shared a joke or laughed with Jovon when be was alive he might have looked a things differently and maybe be here making positive strives in his as well as others... JoJo RIP
Feb. 8, 2011 at 9:18 p.m.
Maybe they'll charge the owner with battery.
Feb. 8, 2011 at 10 p.m.
Shot in the ass, i guess the owner was tired of having his stuff stolen, i would have shot too. these people were useing his car lot as a let's make a quick buck bank. the owner did'nt intend too kill, he could have shot him center mass, i think he shot him in the ass to keep him from running & running & running....
Feb. 9, 2011 at 7:05 a.m.
The owner will sleep well knowing that these punks wont be stealing from him anymore. Get a job!!!
Feb. 9, 2011 at 8:51 a.m.
Devin, talk is cheap. Did you know when cops kill someone they go through many months and even years of therapy? There's a good resoning behind this you ignorant fool. In this incident the owner is not getting therapy at the expense of tax payers. Guess what he's going to go through years to come?
Feb. 9, 2011 at 1:16 p.m.
Yea to be shot in the behind one initially would think the shooter had no intentions of killing him... he was defending his property! Jovan & whoever else should not have been trying to steal,, sorry. Its unfortunate in the end he passed away and the family left grieving behind his thoughtless behavior.
Feb. 9, 2011 at 2:54 p.m.
They are looking into whether to charge the owner with manslaughter. Your life has to be threaten in order to justify the homicide. It is a tragedy all the way around. That young man lost his life for what. Also the two that were with him can also be tried for murder. His death came as a crime was being committed. Everyone loses. Its a shame. I am praying for everyone involved.
Feb. 10, 2011 at 1:31 a.m.
I guess the SNOOVERS might have to look into another line of work. This one isnt worth the risk evidently...smh
Feb. 10, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.
I too have been put in situations where I had to discharge my firearm...And I have to admit that on more than one occasion that the victim wound up deceased...Now when I go into a call I don't go looking to harm nor arrest anyone...I go to dissolve situations...@ Jag police officers DO NOT go through months of therapy UNLESS they feel they need to...there is however, a two week session that occurs before you are put back on patrol in the Sheriff's Dept....I doubt that any prosecutor will take up the charges on this person because he was protecting his property...Most D.A dont want to mess around with these type of cases...AND TO BE QUITE CLEAR I KNOW THAT I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING....people have to be held accountable for their actions...IF this man was worried about raising his son then he would have been at home taking care of him...Instead he decided to go out and steal from others....He lost this time...May GOd have mercy on his soul...
Feb. 10, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.
Regardless you shouldn't make assumptions of someone off of one bad decision because despite everything Jovan was a great loving person who was full of light. He truly didn't deserve to lose his life. Because now there is a little girl out here with no father anymore.
Rest In Paradise Jovan
Feb. 10, 2011 at 3:42 p.m.
Jovan was a fun loving young man and great father. He made a bad choice but it doesnt make him a bad person. Know someone before you judge or keep your mouth shut! Jovan continue to spread the joy of laughter up above, Rest in peace Jovan!
Feb. 10, 2011 at 6:37 p.m.
"I rather scared the thief off by shooting to the air and sleep with a clean conscious."
Says Jag...
What happens when that bullet that u shot in the air lands on an innocent person? I think the Store Owner did the right thing.
Feb. 10, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.
how great of guy he was?..He was stealing..had he thought of his beautiful little girl at home perhaps that should have been motivation enough to be at home with her. I'm no saying that he deserved this, but you get what you get, I am merely saying people in the world do not have respect for each other or other peoples property. Bad decision or not, you do not know who you are dealing with when you trespass, that alone would make me think twice about doing anything wrong. He didnt care now you expect everyone else to care..All three should have been sleep in their beds! Why is that everyone wants to turn the criminal into the victim...people wake up!
Feb. 10, 2011 at 10:03 p.m.
Tanisha,
Isn't if Jovan's fault that his child is fatherless? No one but Jovan put himself in this situation, he could have and should have decided that his child was way more important then taking the easy way out and taking something from someone else. May be two wrongs don't make anything right but this store owner had the right to defend his property. Jovan had the right to not take something that he did not work for or earn. I pray that God has mercy on his soul and that he takes into account his entire life and not just this one moment in time.
Feb. 10, 2011 at 10:56 p.m.
You so-called people disgust me. To think that a person deserve to die over stealing a car battery is evil. Whatever happened to "NOT taking justice into your own hands." The owner of that car lot was wrong and should be charged with a crime. Its one thing to hear a Truck driver or a fast-food worker agree with a unjustified shooting but to hear A Sheriff Dep agree with a unjustified shooting is even more EVIL and SICK. Im going to pray for this country because WWJD isn't what most Americans would do. Its a sad time to be human. God bless the dead Jovan Bronson.
Feb. 11, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.
I had the pleasure of being a part of Jovans life, and yes he made some bad decisions. We all do when we feel our back is against the wall. He was a very bright young man who had so much potential if only someone had gotten thru to him quicker. No amount of wrong he did can outshine the joy and laughter he brought to us all. We will forever cherish his memory and see his smiling face everytime we see his daughter. And for the ppl making negative comments.... I'll pray that ppl don't judge you as harshly when it's your time.
R.I.P. Jovan Bronson
Feb. 11, 2011 at 3:34 p.m.
in CA you can not justifiably shoot people for being on your property if they pose no threat, especially if they are running away.
the owner should have not shot this guy. his life was not in imminent danger.
its sad that people believe a car battery is worth more than a human life.
im sure the owner didnt mean to kill the guy, but just like the thief suffered the consequences of his actions (death), so to should the the owner...
Feb. 11, 2011 at 3:44 p.m.
Please get off it all of you and please let my daughers father rest in peace...hes dead for making a bad decison yes i agree he should have been a little smarter, but like many others said dont judge him for one bad mistake, he was alwyas loving ad always looked out for whoever, my daugher will not have her father and that sucks but i think its time to leave what u strangers who didnt know him for the loving person he was, please keep your mouths shut, R.i.p peace jovan bronson we love you for life..shine your light over us. silly silly people.
Feb. 11, 2011 at 5:15 p.m.
A Sheriffs Dept. You are not really a sheriff are you? It is ok to use that name but you are not really are Sheriff. If you are you must be a Novice because you made some comments that I know that the Sheriffs would not make. I will not go into it. If you are by chance , you are in violation, be careful, your Job is at stake. I have neighbors and friends that are Sheriffs, so I ask questions. That's all I have to say about that.
Feb. 11, 2011 at 9:38 p.m.
Grand life,
I wouldn't be so fast to comment about what the owner was feeling. If given the same situation I don't know if I wouldn't be in fear for my life even with the subject running in the other direction. I can certainly put myself in that situation and realize that he might have been in fear even with the subject supposedly running away. And all he owner would need is one person like me on the jury to walk away free.
Feb. 11, 2011 at 10:49 p.m.
Kevionnah,
This wasn't the first song and dance the Jovan had participated in. So should we also ignore the other indiscretions that he commited and got away with? Or should we just let sleeping dogs be? After all even this artical indicates that all or some of the people involved in this robbery are suspected of others. So which should it be?
Feb. 12, 2011 at 10:19 p.m.
Bad decision? He was committing a felony! Burglary was probably his occupation. Living off food stamps.
Where did he work to support his daughters? Keepin it real in the hood JoJo.
Feb. 13, 2011 at 9:47 a.m.
lol ....you people got jokes......R.I.P. NEPHEW.
Feb. 13, 2011 at 9:54 p.m.
Here we are again posting comments about these young black men would find it easier to steal than to get into some type of training programs. It may not be the great solution but, it does keep them occupied and gives them a sense of self respect. May this young man's death enlighten one of his friends to take a different avenue in life. RIP Jovan..
Feb. 14, 2011 at 7:07 a.m.
We all undestand the actions committed were wrong, a warning shot could of being fired, I knew this young man personally I was his Auntie, he had manners, he was polite, only those who know him what he went through in what short time he had on this earth, for those stating that they would of done the same thing, what if it was your family member folks need to have some compasion before you make your vulguar, comments!! We was a Son, Brother, Father to a young child that will only have photo's, stories of her Dad.... RIP Jovan your smile will be missed
Feb. 14, 2011 at 10:07 a.m.
@understandibly...
its not so much the fear, but the law.
if someone is on my property, in my drive way, stealing from my car, i can NOT legally shoot them.
even if he was scared. the perps posed no LEGAL threat to him. simple as that.
further, i hope you are NEVER on a jury. you havent heard the whole story and dont have instructions from a judge, yet you have already made up your mind on the owners culpability. dam. i really hope you aint on a jury.
the thief paid his price, now the thieves murderer should pay his price as well.
thats for the legal system to decide.
Feb. 15, 2011 at 4:17 p.m.
Grandlife,
First of all I did not say that I had already made up my mind I just said that any juror would be understanding to this crime driving situation! Oh and by the way...you too have already made up your mind and guess what? The owner hasn't even been charge with anything. Do you really think that he is going to be charge with anything? This thief was stilling and it wasn't the first time right? Putting aside all the what a great guy he was quotes the simple fact is that this was not the first time that this theif took something that did not belong to him and did so because he could! It doesn't matter one way or the other if he needed it or if the ill gotten goods purchased what wonderful things that he enjoyed no, what matters here is that this theif was shot and killed doing something bad to a owner that was trying to make a living doing something legal. We all make choices in this life every single moment of every single day we make decisions some we regret some we enjoy. Some even end up are final decisions.
Feb. 15, 2011 at 11:06 p.m.
Sheba,
I have often read quote from you and in most of your quotes the under tone of your quotes are god fearing and empethetic. However, did I just read a quote from you in which you threaten a sheriff or another human being period? Not very chiristian of you now is it? So much for the christian in you...I guess God is still working on you. Yeah that must be it a work in progress.
Feb. 15, 2011 at 11:46 p.m.
— Jett
Sheba's comments are not the smartest. I've seen her comments as well and they usually make no sense. To tell you the truth, I don't know how they make it in here!
Feb. 16, 2011 at 11:59 a.m.
Sheba's comments are magnitudes better than some of the ones what are posted. She uses good grammar, spelling and makes her point. What more can you ask for?
Feb. 16, 2011 at 2:01 p.m.
Jett
Can you read. Re-read what I said. I made no threat to anyone. Anyone who works for the Sheriffs dept nows what I am talking about. A Novice is someone new at their seat or occupation. They sometimes make mistakes because of little experience. If you judging me with false accusations makes you feel better somehow, go right ahead. I now what I wrote and I know what I meant. I forgive you for lieing on me in this HR report.
Feb. 16, 2011 at 7:51 p.m.
I was not commenting on her spelling, grammer or her ability to make her point come across in writing. I made a comment base on her preaching (For lack of a better word) of tolerance, forgiveness, love of god and all things good and decent. And then making a comment about to someone with tones of threats in them. My point being that tolerance and all the other things start at home and if we don't have the ability to count to 10 or the ability to pray for our fellow beings than how can we hold the general public to a higher standard then that which we hold out for ourselves?
Feb. 17, 2011 at 3:27 a.m.
@Jett, I could not have said it better.
@Sheba, you make no sense.
Feb. 17, 2011 at 12:53 p.m.
To Jett,Meck, Syscom3, All Three in One, you make me laugh. Seriously , I don't want you to be bitter, I want you to be better.
Feb. 17, 2011 at 3:38 p.m.
Everyone is entitled to their bad decisions. And he made one ! No one can change the outcome but bad mouthing this young man isn't helping anyone feel better. Put your self in this position or if it was your son then your feelings would be different. At this point he is in a better place for a bad decision. And I'm not saying the person who did I should be hurt like we are but kicking over his candles and cutting down his balloons is a cruel move
Feb. 17, 2011 at 7:47 p.m.
how could you people judge him yes he did something wrong but everyone isnt prefect this is somebody son your talking about somebody father friend brother how would you feel if it was somebody you care about huh you people need to think before you talk about someone you dont know he was a great person and loved his wonderful lil girl friends and family he always kept a smile on people face but you guy wouldnt know that cause you dont know him all the people that wrote on here that know him know he was a good person i cant belive people these days you guy need to shut up and know what you talking about before you say he was a bad person he got his life tooking by a man that didnt have to kill him but what make it bad some of you writting like the man was right for killing him
Feb. 17, 2011 at 9:36 p.m.
Sheba,
I wrote that your blog had undertones of threats not out right threats. And I'm sorry but "your job is at stake" I have friends and nieghbors" "that's all I have to say about it" those sound full of threats. I just thought that for a woman who's other posts were filled with tollerance and forgiveness that this seemed quite out of character and finer pointing. Law enforcement officers don't give up the right to voice an opinion just because they pin that badge on their chests. I'm not sure what exactly you found so horrid about the "dep" post. Can you spell it out? I mean what did s/he write that you found so offensive? I did go back and read both original post again and I don't see anything wrong with what "dep" posted. I'm not looking for a fight just claification what you read that I didn't?
Feb. 17, 2011 at 10:37 p.m.
to all the people what negative comments about jovan bronson this a young man I known since age 7 involved in baseball n school all his life his time was occupied all his life he recently acuried a baby for has employment no jobs were available for young black man who graduated from high school what a score of 1700 s on the sat sudddenlly he had a kid an nature told him to provide he could of easily sold dope or robberys he never had any attaentions on harmimg anybody
Feb. 20, 2011 at 4:08 p.m.
To all who feel Jo had it coming to him shut up with the unessacary comment sit back and put your self in his shoes. Would u feel u needed to be killed because u tried to run? If the owner was scared and wanted to fire a warning shot it should have been in the air. What type of person really is scared of someone who Is running away? This is wrong. Yes I knew Jo but even if I didn't I would be saying the samething if it was anyone else. I HOPE THAT OWNER FEEL GUILTY because in my eyes your just as guilty as Jo. TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT! At the end of the day I still love jovan and miss h save a spot for me and watch over (us) your true family and friends.
Feb. 21, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.
Coach Greg,
Did you read what you wrote? He could have committed robberies or...he did committ a robbery. As for jobs there are not many jobs out here for anyone not just young black men and as for scoring a 1700 on his SAT's I guess that didn't help him out making better choices. And finally as for kids...we have been in this economic situation for well over a year, he knew his situation and he knew how to prevent a child from coming into play re: his plans and what he could and could not afford. Heck I have a job get paid pretty good money and I don't have a child right now because of the cost. So making excuses for this situation at least the ones you make don't mean anything to the rest of us who make sure we can afford children and don't go around taking things from others because we can. Coach Greg where were you for this young man when he needed someone to turn to or talk to or when he needed someone to remind him that he should not break the law just to make a penny? What he was and what he became are two very different topics too bad no one was there for him.
Feb. 22, 2011 at 11:54 p.m.
Gemma
what do you mean no one was there for him what are you trying to say cause i feel that it was more to that??
Feb. 23, 2011 at 2:59 p.m.
As a personal friend of Jovan Bronson, I can truly say i know him and i do not believe he got what he had coming..he lived a good life and was a all around person... very athletic, social, and knew what he wanted in life,he just took a few wrong steps backwards and didnt end up doing a prison term, but with God he will share time. you can honor the past..but nothing last forever but a life sentence..he did what he had to do to get by..even if he had to steal and sell...he did try... in the streets its called survival..
Feb. 25, 2011 at 12:49 p.m.
its really hard out here for young black man but some of you guys will never know until what they go through happen to you or one of your love ones
Feb. 25, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
God will judge.... whether it is a good or bad comment, it really doesn't matter what any of you think about him, as it deals with his salvation, good or bad, God will judge him by his obedience to His word, and nothing else. People we can't have it both ways. If he needed money so bad, give it to him, loan it.. When you are a friend, loved one...you help, you support, you motivate, go job hunting together, pray together, go to church together, read the Bible together,you inspire, you teach, enroll in college together. You don't do it on a blog over hs dead body, it's too late!!! Wake up, be real and stop trying to have it both ways
Feb. 25, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.
Nine times out of ten, the owner won't be charged, and it's sad. Similar situation happened to a family friend who made a stupid decision to rob somebody, the owner of a nightclub, they scared him off, he had made it out of the location, was in the parking lot, maybe 50 feet away, and they still shot him in the back. Nothing ever happened. Another senseless killing.
Feb. 27, 2011 at 6:16 a.m.
— Denise .... what do you mean a senseless killing? The shop owner was outnumbered 2 to 1, in the middle of the night in an area known to be a high crime neighborhood.
Call it a senseless death because it was the deceased who made the stupid decision to put himself into a dangerous situation.
Nothing is going to happen to the shop owner. He acted appropriately considering the situation.
Feb. 28, 2011 at 10:31 p.m.
Warren G.,
No it is not called survival it is called being a jackass. But he paid for his actions. Thankfully no one else paid they price for his steps backwards as you put it. Hopefully his two partners in crime will pay the price too.
March 2, 2011 at 12:11 a.m.
I'm so sad and shocked to hear what happened to Jovan. He was my star student, my first year teaching. I knew one day I would hear how he was in college playing baseball. My prayers go out to his mother and his daughter.
March 6, 2011 at 9:52 p.m.
Omg Jovan Imy So Much U Meant Alot To Me...Im Sad We Couldnt Say goodbye To Each Other ILY with all my heart..n I Miss You So...U Were My First So i Love You
March 31, 2011 at 9:22 p.m.
I live on the block Jovan lived on.We grew up together since 5.Yeah he made a bad decision and no it wasnt right.but his back was turned while trying to escape.the owner couldve shot in the air to scare Jovan off.All these ignorant people saying thats what these punks get.These punks were good people inside and out.They just made a bad decision.Rest In Paradise Jo.I love you bro.
April 3, 2011 at 4:19 p.m.
— Jeremy ... good people dont steal other peoples property in the middle of the night.
April 4, 2011 at 12:41 p.m.
Jeremy,
Bad decisions is what gets you death. Besides, lets be honest...if someone broke into your place and then took you so much of what you worked really hard for, would you really be looking to scare them off? No of course not you would be looking to hurt them and to make them pay! We all would, I take that back most of us would. That's exactly why we should not make such major bad decisions. Sometimes our decions are small and we get away with doing something stupid and sometimes are choices cause others to die or ourselves.
April 5, 2011 at 6:06 p.m.
Jake, I disagree with your posting. Most people are not eager to pull the trigger and kill somebody.
April 6, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
i love you jovan and i miss you so much i will see you soon
May 18, 2011 at 3:29 p.m.
f**k everybody who had somethin sideways to say about my lil bros death, maybe he was jus tryna get some money to feed n support his daughter,u dnt kno wat the situation was tto make him do wat he did, he was a good person who always made ppl happy n the fact of the matter is wrong or not he didnt deserve to die. tht was my bestfriend, now im here in this world by my self, so i wood appreciate if ppl could keep there negative comments to there selves, thnk you
Nov. 6, 2011 at 5:12 a.m.
@ Tony Boy
Sorry for your loss. But if he had a child to feed, stealing from other people is not the way to do it. Maybe he should have gotten himself a real job, and this wouldn't have happened. Again my condolences for your loss.
Nov. 7, 2011 at 7:39 a.m.
@ Coach Greg...did you know that the perfect score on a SAT is 1600....Maybe they have changed the protocol and the scores since I've graduated from high school but I remember the max that you could get was a 1600....However the fact remains that this guy no matter how great of a guy he was with you all, he attempted to take another persons property without their permission...Now I am not sayin that the penalty should have been death but that's one of the options when you play the game of life....May God have mercy on his soul...Prayers and hands are pointed in the direction of his family, friends and most of all his children...
Nov. 7, 2011 at 9:07 a.m.
wow, talk about as ass kicking
Nov. 7, 2011 at 12:47 p.m.
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