A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after allegedly fatally striking another driver in a road rage altercation this week in West Hollywood, authorities said.
At 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies responded to a convenience store in the 7900 block of West Santa Monica Boulevard after receiving a call for assistance.
When they arrived, officers found Armando Gabriel, 68, of Los Angeles, unconscious on the sidewalk in front of the store.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department took Gabriel to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Ramon Casas, a 48-year-old Bell Gardens resident, was arrested by officers at the scene.
According to the Sheriff's Department, Gabriel and Casas were involved in a minor traffic accident in the parking lot of the convenience store. A confrontation ensued, during which authorities allege Casas assaulted Gabriel, rendering him unconscious.
“I just punched this guy in the face,” Sean Harrison, who was buying food at a nearby restaurant, told KTLA-TV.
Casas was arrested and charged with murder. He remains in custody on $2 million bail and was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500Reports can also be made anonymously by calling (800) 222-8477 or online at Lacrimestoppers.org or using the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
