Manuel David Corral Jr., a 36-year-old Latino male, tragically lost his life on November 12, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Corral was shot to death in Koreatown, a bustling neighborhood known for its vibrant culture and nightlife. The incident occurred at a marijuana dispensary located at 447 S. Western Ave. The shooting was reported early in the morning, around 4:22 a.m., when officers arrived at the scene to find Corral and another unidentified man unconscious and not breathing.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Los Angeles County coroner's records, Corral was working as a security guard at the dispensary at the time of the shooting.
The investigation into Corral's death revealed that the suspects were two males wearing hooded sweatshirts and dark clothing. The suspects entered the dispensary and opened fire in the waiting room, which was separated from the main area where marijuana was sold by a locked door. A female employee and some customers who were present at the time managed to escape through a back door after hearing the gunshots. The Los Angeles Police Department's West Bureau Homicide Unit took charge of the investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
In the days following the shooting, the LAPD made significant progress in the case. A suspect, identified as Deondrae Farmer, a Los Angeles County resident in his 30s, was arrested and charged with the murders of Manuel David Corral Jr. and the other victim, Lamont Leroy Farmer, who was the suspect's brother. The arrest was made at a motel, although the exact location and date of the arrest were not disclosed. Detectives indicated that the shooting was a robbery attempt gone wrong, as no products were taken from the dispensary. The murder weapon was not recovered, and the investigation continued as authorities searched for additional suspects involved in the crime.
The dispensary, known as Koreatown Exotics, was operating illegally at the time of the shooting, as Los Angeles ordinances only permit marijuana dispensaries to operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The incident highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding unlicensed dispensaries in the city. Despite the tragic circumstances, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office did not have any pending complaints or criminal filings against the dispensary at the time of the shooting. The case of Manuel David Corral Jr.'s death remains a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by security personnel and the complexities of regulating marijuana businesses in urban areas.
