Samuel Morris Corbin, a 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran, was tragically shot to death on June 17, 2020, in Compton, California. The incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. in the 600 block of South Ward Avenue. Corbin was found in the driver's seat of his white Toyota Corolla, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Despite the prompt arrival of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Corbin, who had served in the Army and received three Purple Hearts, was a respected member of his community and had retired from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. His death left behind six children and numerous grandchildren, who remembered him as a caring and likable individual.
The investigation into Corbin's death revealed no immediate motive or suspect. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to the initial call reporting the shooting, but details about the perpetrator remained elusive. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers. The lack of a clear motive or suspect description has made the case particularly challenging for investigators.
Corbin's murder was one of two fatal shootings in the area that night. Less than two hours later, Kendal Young, a 26-year-old man from Los Angeles, was found shot to death in the driver's seat of a gray Toyota Camry in Willowbrook, just a few miles from the scene of Corbin's shooting. Both victims had been shot in the upper torso, and while there was no immediate evidence linking the two cases, the proximity and timing of the incidents raised concerns among the community and law enforcement.
As of now, there have been no arrests or significant developments in the case. The investigation remains open, with detectives continuing to seek leads and gather evidence. The community and Corbin's family continue to hope for justice and closure in the wake of this senseless act of violence.
