'Turn Yourself In,' Mother of South Bay Basketball Player to His Killer

GARDENA, CA - The family of an aspiring pro basketball player who was gunned down in the Willowbrook area renewed the call for help in solving his murder.

Wendell Lee Jr., 25, was shot late on the evening of Sept. 21 as he stood with a friend in front of a residence in the 12200 block of Elva Avenue.

In February, the County Board of Supervisors approved a $10,000 reward for tips in solving the case.

"He was an avid and talented basketball player who played on a collegiate level at Colorado State (University) Pueblo, and just graduated that year," sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck said.

"Wendell was laser-focused on the possibility of a professional basketball career ... (and) was in Los Angeles to attend a tryout for the Lakers 'D' team," Peck said. "The dreams the Lee family held for their son dissipated that night when a car pulled up, a man got out from the driver's- side rear passenger door, and shot Wendell multiple times with an assault-style rifle."

Lee grew up in the Gardena area, and attended Washington High School and El Camino College before transferring to Colorado State.

His mother, Merry Matthews, appeared at a news conference Wednesday morning to appeal for help in solving her son's killing.

"I want to talk to the killer for a few minutes," she said. "I'm going to ask you to turn yourself in."

The suspect was described as a 20- to 28-year-old black man, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, who made his getaway in a silver 2003-2007 Saturn Vue "redline" edition.

Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of Colorado State University at Pueblo