Raymond Lee Arnold, a 31-year-old man from Hawthorne, California, was tragically shot and killed on July 16, 2016. The incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m. inside a barbershop called Updeh Cutz, located in a strip mall at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West El Segundo Boulevard. According to reports, Arnold got into a confrontation with at least two other men inside the barbershop. During the argument, one of the men pulled out a gun and fired at Arnold.
The altercation continued into the parking lot, where more shots were fired. A 29-year-old customer was also struck by gunfire but survived the incident. Arnold was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:09 p.m.
Investigators believe that more than one shooter was involved in the incident. However, the exact details of the shooting, including whether there was return fire from the barbershop or if both suspects opened fire, remain unclear. The suspects were last seen fleeing the scene in a car. Despite efforts by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to gather information, the investigation has been hampered by a lack of cooperation from witnesses. The Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau continues to seek information from the public to identify the shooters and understand the motive behind the killing.
Raymond Arnold, known to some as "Mafia Ray," was a father of four children. His death has left a significant impact on his family and the community. The barbershop shooting was not an isolated incident, as there had been another shooting at the same location a week prior. This has raised concerns about ongoing violence in the area. The investigation into Arnold's death is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring those responsible to justice.
