4 Suspects in Custody, 1 Still Sought in Hollywood Shooting Death

Four suspects have been arrested in the shooting death of a man at a Hollywood party and one more is still being sought, the LAPD announced at a Wednesday news conference.

The shooting occurred April 17 at around 3:15 a.m. on the 1600 block of North La Brea Avenue. LAPD Capt. Beatrice Girmala said the suspects, who are known to be gang members, challenged and confronted victim Lorenzo Smith, firing multiple rounds at him and at another man who was seriously injured.

Hollywood homicide detectives launched an investigation involving several agencies that resulted in officers serving 11 search warrants and conducting 14 parole/probation compliance checks in Compton and Long Beach.

Three suspects from Compton have been charged in the case. Glen Wagner, 26, was charged with murder, mayhem and personal use of a firearm. Miguel Estrada, 21, and Brittnay Jackson, 23, were charged with being accessories to murder and personal use of a firearm.

A fourth suspect, Paul “Smiley” Benoit, has also been arrested in connection with the shooting death.

Authorities are searching for Kevin "Killa" White, 22, a member of the gang Mob Piru. Anyone with information is asked to call Hollywood Division detectives Chris Gable or Bett Goodkin at 213-972-2912.

“The united message we would like to send to all members of the public is this: Those individuals who come into Hollywood with the intent to commit acts of violence or any other crimes will be diligently and relentlessly pursued by law enforcement until the victims and their families are brought closure and the closure they deserve," Grimala, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Hollywood Division, said at the news conference.

The arrests were made possible with the help of partnering agencies that included the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections-Parole, Grimala said.

Smith's mother Octavia attended the news conference and thanked the LAPD for its efforts.

“I’m grateful to the Hollywood Division for locating and apprehending the suspects involved in my son's murder,” she said. “I know almost never, that this happens.

“I know in my heart, Lorenzo did not have a clue what was going to happen that night,” Smith said. “I’ll never forget him kissing me on the cheek saying 'I’ll be back, I love you lady.' After that his friends came to notify me of all of this. ... I’m so grateful justice will be served in this case.”

Hollywood Councilman Tom LaBonge extended his thanks to law enforcement and his condolences to Octavia Smith.

“We have a special bond with Lorenzo’s mom as she is a city employee who every day helps the people of Los Angeles as a clerk right across from the mayor’s office,” LaBonge said. “The public comes to that public counter and she helps people. At her time of need all these people collaborate to help just as they would for anybody. So on behalf of the City Council and the mayor, we extend our love to your family on this terrible loss, we thank those officers and the representatives from the variety agencies that focused on this, and Capt. Grimala for her work.”