Joseph Chester Goudeau, a 35-year-old resident of Hawthorne, California, was tragically shot and killed on September 1, 2016. The incident occurred in the 14100 block of South Lemoli Avenue, where Goudeau was socializing and drinking with a group of people in a vacant lot across from a restaurant. According to reports, an argument erupted between Goudeau and another individual, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
During the fight, someone pulled out a gun and shot Goudeau once in the upper torso. The assailant then fled the scene. Goudeau was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau took over the investigation from the Hawthorne Police Department. Despite efforts to gather information and leads, the case remains unsolved. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers. The investigation has faced challenges due to the lack of witnesses willing to provide detailed accounts of the events leading up to the shooting.
Prior to his death, Joseph Chester Goudeau had a history of arrests, including an incident in 2014 when he was arrested for public intoxication by the Hawthorne Police Department. However, there is no indication that his past legal troubles were connected to his murder. The investigation into Goudeau's death has not resulted in any arrests or identified suspects, and no litigation or court cases have been reported in relation to the incident.
The community of Hawthorne was deeply affected by Goudeau's death, with many expressing their grief and frustration over the violence that claimed his life. The case remains open, and law enforcement continues to seek justice for Joseph Chester Goudeau, hoping that new information will eventually lead to the apprehension of his killer.
