David Jerome Scott, a 31-year-old man from Compton, California, was tragically shot and killed on May 21, 2014. The incident occurred in the 1100 block of East Bennett Street. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, deputies responded to a call of a gunshot victim around 10:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found Scott and a 44-year-old man in the front yard of a home, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
Witnesses reported that a light-colored sedan drove by, and someone inside the vehicle opened fire on the men. Scott was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:13 p.m.
The investigation into Scott's death led to significant developments. Witnesses at the scene provided crucial information that helped authorities identify the vehicle involved in the shooting. Shortly after the incident, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies located the vehicle and arrested Michael Angelo Daniel, a 37-year-old Compton gang member. Evidence presented at trial included bullet casings found in the car, which linked Daniel to the shooting.
In March 2016, after a day of deliberations, a jury found Michael Angelo Daniel guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of David Jerome Scott. Daniel was also convicted of attempted murder for shooting at the other man who survived the attack. Jurors found true a special allegation that the killing was committed for the benefit of a gang, and additional gun allegations were also upheld. As a result, Daniel was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison in May 2016.
The case highlights the ongoing issues of gang violence in Compton and the efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau continues to encourage anyone with additional information about the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
