Reginald Martin Thompson, a 33-year-old Black man, was shot and later died at a hospital following an attack on the evening of January 11, 2022, in Athens, California. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s records place the shooting near 11415 S. Vermont Ave., in the parking lot of a shopping center at the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Vermont Avenue. Thompson had been talking with friends when four suspects arrived in a dark-colored sedan, exited the vehicle, and opened fire on him and the group.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating. At a May 3, 2022 press conference the LASD announced a $20,000 reward sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Family members, including Thompson’s mother Caren Stephens, appealed for tips. No arrests have been made and the suspects’ identities remain unknown.

If anyone was in the shopping center parking lot that evening or has information about the dark-colored sedan or the four suspects, please contact the LASD Homicide Bureau or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.