A beloved community activist was shot and killed in broad daylight in Hyde Park, a neighborhood in South Los Angeles. The killing has left residents and violence prevention workers in shock.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting near Crenshaw Boulevard and 59th Place on Thursday afternoon. At the scene, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He died before medical help could arrive.
The Los Angeles Police Department initially said the victim was 40 years old. Later tributes and family accounts identified him as Reginald Foreman, 51, according to FOX 11. The discrepancy has not been explained by authorities.
The suspect ran away before officers arrived. Investigators have not released a description or established a motive.
Foreman was widely known in South LA for his work with 2nd Call, a nonprofit that supports high-risk individuals, troubled youth and former inmates. The organization posted a tribute that read:
"It's with pure sadness for the 2nd Call family and the Foreman family in regards to our brother our loved one. Prayers for those that have been ill affected by all violence. Baby Ant."
Hundreds of community members responded, with one person writing: "This is truly senseless. People are taking away the very people who stayed to do what they could to make a better life for those under them."
Hyde Park sits in the South Los Angeles region, an area that has experienced cycles of street violence for decades. Community violence intervention programs like 2nd Call rely on trusted messengers who can reach people at the highest risk. The death of an activist from that network is a significant blow to local safety efforts.
2nd Call is known in Los Angeles for sending teams to respond to shootings and help families navigate trauma and services. Gang intervention workers have often been caught in the crossfire, yet they remain a critical part of the city's violence prevention strategy.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect's whereabouts is urged to contact the LAPD homicide unit. Anonymous tips are also accepted.