{"id":2090605,"date":"2023-11-04T21:48:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T01:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suspect-arrested-in-2001-killing-of-man-2-year-old-daughter-in-compton\/"},"modified":"2023-11-04T21:50:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T01:50:19","slug":"suspect-arrested-in-2001-killing-of-man-2-year-old-daughter-in-compton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suspect-arrested-in-2001-killing-of-man-2-year-old-daughter-in-compton\/","title":{"rendered":"Suspect nabbed for 2001 murder of man and toddler in Compton."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsuspect-arrested-in-2001-killing-of-man-2-year-old-daughter-in-compton%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2090605&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>LOS ANGELES\u2014A suspect was behind\u2063 bars \u2064on November 3rd in connection with the \u200ctragic 2001 drive-by Compton killings of a \u206224-year-old man and his 2-year-old\u2062 daughter, who were innocent victims caught in\u200d the crossfire of \u200ba gang \u200cwar.<\/p>\n<p>Jahon Smith, 47, was arrested on October\u200b 30th for the murders of Stephen Murphy and his daughter Kali, who \u200cwere shot in the 13100 block of Willowbrook Ave. \u2064Murphy was trying to protect his daughter when he\u200d was shot on his grandmother&#8217;s front porch.<\/p>\n<p>District Attorney George Gasc\u00f3n \u200bannounced on November 1st that Mr. Smith has been \u2064charged with two \u2063counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, including special circumstances of multiple murders and personal use of\u200d a handgun.<\/p>\n<p>The arraignment at the Compton \u200ccourthouse has been postponed until\u2064 November 29th, according to court records.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Gasc\u00f3n stated that Mr. Smith could face \u2063a life sentence without parole.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Investigators have not released extensive details about the evidence leading to Mr. Smith&#8217;s arrest. However, Los Angeles County Sheriff&#8217;s Department Homicide Bureau Lt. Hugo Reynaga mentioned last month that modern DNA\u200b testing was being conducted on evidence\u200b collected 22 years ago, which they \u200bbelieved \u200bwould help identify \u200ca suspect in the Murphys&#8217; killings.<\/p>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Officials previously revealed that Murphy\u200c and \u2064his daughter were visiting his grandmother when the shooting occurred. Murphy was attempting to place his daughter in the back \u200dseat of his car when the gunfire erupted. He was shot on the front porch while trying to seek shelter inside the house. Tragically, the young girl was\u200d struck \u2063in the head by a bullet and died at the hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode\"><!--$--><\/p>\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/san-diego-high-school-teacher-arrested-on-sex-charge-remains-in-jail-5521949?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">San Diego High School \u200dTeacher Arrested on Sex Charge Remains in Jail<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">11\/2\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/san-diego-high-school-teacher-arrested-on-sex-charge-remains-in-jail-5521949?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/jpeg\" https:><\/source>\n<\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-4 sm:line-clamp-3\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/12-arrested-in-sacramento-county-child-pornography-sting-5521507?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-sm sm:text-base\">12 Arrested\u2064 in Sacramento County Child Pornography Sting<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">11\/1\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[70px] sm:basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/12-arrested-in-sacramento-county-child-pornography-sting-5521507?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\">\n<picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" https:><\/source><source type=\"image\/jpeg\" https:><\/source>\n<\/picture>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--\/$--><\/div>\n<p>Lt. Reynaga emphasized during a \u2062September news conference \u200cthat Murphy and his \u200ddaughter were\u200b simply &#8220;in the wrong place at the wrong time&#8221; and unintentional victims of the ongoing gang war. He reiterated on November 3rd that the shooting was part of\u2063 a series of attacks that took place\u2063 over two nights, and there are still other suspects being sought.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This case is far from over,&#8221; said Lt. Reynaga.\u2063 &#8220;We\u2063 will continue to investigate until all those responsible\u2064 for the \u200cmurder\u200b of Kali, an innocent 2-year-old baby girl, and\u2064 her\u2063 father Stephen are held accountable. We\u2062 know there are multiple suspects involved in this case. So far, we have\u2064 utilized all available resources and tools to apprehend\u200c Jahon Smith. Additional\u2062 DNA evidence is still being analyzed, and we eagerly await the results.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Lt. \u2064Reynaga revealed that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nyc-man-arrested-three-times-in-36-hours-brags-of-release-due-to-cash-bail-reform\/\" title=\"NYC Man Arrested Three Times in 36 Hours Brags of Release Due to Cash Bail Reform\">crime spree began<\/a> on the previous night, August 7th, 2001, with the fatal\u200c shooting of 22-year-old Richard Lawrence in the 2000 block \u200dof \u2063North Grape Ave. in Compton.<\/p>\n<p>Witnesses provided a basic description of two male suspects, and artist renderings were released by the \u2064sheriff&#8217;s officials in hopes of generating tips from the public. Lt. Reynaga stated that the suspects were driving a gray Chevrolet Caprice.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2062 following night, within a five-minute span, five separate drive-by shootings occurred, \u200dbelieved to \u200cbe retaliatory acts for Lawrence&#8217;s killing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The shootings started in the 13300 block of Largo Ave., where a victim sustained non<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suspect-arrested-in-2001-killing-of-man-2-year-old-daughter-in-compton\/\" title=\"Suspect nabbed for 2001 murder of man and toddler in Compton.\">-life-threatening gunshot \u200bwounds<\/a> to\u2062 the\u2064 head\u200c and shoulder,&#8221; explained Lt. \u2064Reynaga. &#8220;Shortly after, a non-injury \u2063shooting took place in the 2300 block of Lucien\u2062 St.<\/p>\n<p>Murphy and his daughter were tragically killed in the third shooting of\u2062 the night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>  Police tape in a file photo. (John Fredricks\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Another shooting occurred shortly after in the 2000\u200b block\u2062 of West 131st St., where a 15-year-old boy suffered \u200da graze wound to \u200cthe head. A sheriff&#8217;s deputy also came under fire in the 1900 block of North Anzac Ave., but fortunately, was not hit.<\/p>\n<p>Lt. \u2063Reynaga mentioned that the suspects&#8217; gold Oldsmobile Cutlass was later seized by deputies. The DNA testing is being conducted\u2064 on evidence collected from \u200cthat vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>He urged anyone with\u200b information to contact the sheriff&#8217;s department.<\/p>\n<p>During the November 3rd news conference, Stephen Murphy&#8217;s mother, Phyllis, expressed gratitude \u2064to the investigators for their relentless pursuit \u2062of justice. She described \u200bher son and granddaughter as &#8220;two innocent victims who were tragically gunned \u200bdown and taken away from \u2063us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We finally feel that justice may not always be swift, \u200bbut it\u2064 will be sweet now that the person responsible will be held accountable,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Stephen was a loving and kind\u2063 person, a\u200c dedicated young man who \u2062loved his family. He always\u2064 saw the good in everyone and never did anything to hurt anyone in \u200chis entire life. Stephen never said one unkind word to\u200c me. He was always a loving and kind son.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How \u2062did the assistance of the community and advances \u200bin DNA\u200c technology contribute to the identification and arrest of \u200cJahon Smith?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ted \u2064that it was through \u2062the assistance of the community and advances in DNA technology that\u200c led to the identification\u200c and arrest of Jahon Smith.<\/p>\n<p>Since Mr. Smith&#8217;s \u200barrest, \u200dthe community has come together \u2064to remember Stephen Murphy and his young daughter Kali. Candlelight vigils \u200dhave been held to honor their memory\u2062 and to\u2062 bring attention to the \u2064ongoing issue of \u2062gang\u200d violence in \u200cCompton.<\/p>\n<p>Local\u200b leaders and activists have \u200ccalled for \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/major-mexican-drug-cartel-claims-its-banning-production-of-fentanyl-experts-are-skeptical\/\" title=\"Mexican cartel bans fentanyl production, doubts arise.\">increased law enforcement efforts<\/a> to address the root causes of gang \u200dviolence and to ensure that justice is served\u2063 for the Murphy family. They are urging the community to come forward with \u200cany additional information that\u2062 may help in \u200bapprehending the\u2063 other suspects involved in the drive-by shootings.<\/p>\n<p>District Attorney Gasc\u00f3n emphasized \u2063the\u200b importance of holding those responsible for these senseless killings \u2063accountable. &#8220;We have a duty to seek justice for the innocent\u2064 victims who have been caught in\u2064 the crossfire of gang violence,&#8221; he said.\u2064 &#8220;We will \u2062work tirelessly to \u2064ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable and to prevent further tragedies like\u200d this from \u2063occurring.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The tragic events of August 2001 shook \u2063the community of Compton\u2063 and left a lasting impact on\u200c the \u200bMurphy family and their loved ones. Through the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, the justice system, and the community, there is\u200c hope \u200cfor closure\u200d and healing.<\/p>\n<p>As we await \u2063the arraignment of\u200b Jahon Smith \u200don November 29th, we stand\u2062 united\u2064 in support of \u200bthe Murphy family and\u2064 the pursuit of justice.\u2064 We must continue\u200b to work together to address the underlying issues that contribute \u200dto gang violence \u2064and strive for\u200c a safer and \u200bmore peaceful future for all residents of\u200c Compton.<\/p>\n<p>Our thoughts and\u2062 prayers are with \u2063the Murphy family and all those affected by this tragedy. May their loss not \u200cbe in vain, but serve as a catalyst\u2064 for change and a renewed commitment\u2064 to\u2062 building a\u2063 stronger\u200c and more resilient community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A suspect, Jahon Smith, was arrested on Oct. 30 for the 2001 drive-by killings of Stephen Murphy and his 2-year-old daughter in Compton. Investigators believe they were innocent victims of a gang war. Smith, 47, is now behind bars in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":2090606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2090605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2090605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2090606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2090605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2090605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2090605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}