Sheriff's Department to Host Meeting Tonight Regarding Duarte Shootings

By City News Service

The sheriff's department was conducting increased patrols today in Duarte and surrounding areas in the aftermath of two Sunday shootings, including one that killed a young father.

Meanwhile, a community meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Duarte Community Center, 1600 Huntington Drive, according to a city spokeswoman, who said local residents and community leaders are expected.  

The fatal shooting was reported at 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the 2000 block of Broderick Avenue, said sheriff's Deputy Benjamin Grubb. When Temple Station deputies arrived, they found the 18-year-old victim on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound, Grubb said.

Malcolm Mency, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital, was gunned down as he walked home after working a shift at the nearby Sonic Drive-In, according to family members who said he worked two jobs and was the father of a one-month-old son.

No suspect information was available, Grubb said.

The second shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. Sunday. An unidentified man was in his front yard when a light-colored vehicle passed by and one of the two occupants shot him in the lower back in the area of Mt. Olive Drive and Bloomfield Street, according to the watch commander at the Temple Station.

The victim's injury was said to be non-life-threatening, according to the sheriff's department, which  increased patrols in Duarte and adjoining areas in response to the shootings.    

Anyone with information about the gunfire was urged to call homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. They also can anonymously provide a tip by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or sending an email to lacrimestoppers.org.