Steve Lawson, a 50-year-old tow truck driver from Bakersfield, California, was tragically killed on July 27, 2014, in South Gate, California. Lawson was in the process of repossessing a vehicle in Compton early that morning. According to reports, he was followed by multiple suspects in several vehicles after picking up the car. The pursuit continued until Lawson reached the intersection of Rosecrans and Atlantic Avenues, where gunshots were reported.
It remains unclear if Lawson was struck by gunfire at that location, but he continued driving east on Firestone Boulevard with the repossessed vehicle in tow. Eventually, Lawson crashed into another car at Rayo Avenue in South Gate. Upon exiting his tow truck, he was shot by the suspects. Lawson was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
The investigation into Lawson's death revealed that the incident was likely related to the repossession of the vehicle. Surveillance footage captured part of the chase and shooting, providing crucial evidence for the authorities. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department identified two primary suspects in the case: Davion Keeshawn Harrison and Derell "DJ" Clark Jr. Both suspects were believed to have been involved in the chase and subsequent shooting of Lawson. In addition to Harrison and Clark, investigators were searching for multiple other suspects connected to the incident.
The case garnered significant attention, and the city of South Gate offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Lawson's family, particularly his sister Mona Lawson, made public appeals for justice, urging anyone with information to come forward. The investigation was ongoing, with authorities working diligently to apprehend all individuals involved in the murder. The tragic death of Steve Lawson highlighted the dangers faced by tow truck drivers and the extreme measures some individuals might take to prevent the repossession of their vehicles.
