The Antelope Valley Times

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UPDATED: Man shot dead in computer store robbery; gunman still at large

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Late Friday night deputies surrounded a Lancaster home where they believed the thief who killed a store owner was hiding. The suspect was not located at the residence and officials disbanded about 2 a.m. Saturday.

LANCASTER – A man was shot and killed during the robbery of a computer store in Lancaster Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

Homicide detectives were still on the scene hours after the fatal shooting at e-Chaps Computer Store.

“We got the call at 4 p.m. about a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of 20th West and K,” said Sgt. Jill Deschamps of the Lancaster Station. “It turned out that there was a robbery and a shooting from the computer store, one man was shot and he is now deceased.”

Hours after the shooting, detectives tracked the thief to a home in the 43000 block of Grange Street in Lancaster.

At about 11 p.m. Friday, dozens of deputies and members of the Special Enforcement Bureau surrounded the home and engaged in an armed standoff.

“At this point we have preliminary information in regards to the murder that led us here,” said Homicide Lt. Matthew Burson. “We’re just looking for one suspect.”

Officials said the suspect is a black male and is believed to have been wearing a dark hood and a ski mask during the robbery. The suspect reportedly entered the store carrying a backpack and a rolling suitcase. The thief shot the victim multiple times and then fled the scene in a dark colored sedan, Burson said.

Burson did not release the name of the victim, however family members identified the victim as 59-year-old Reed Keith, the owner of e-Chaps Computer Store.

They said Keith was robbed and shot to death inside his business.

As of 11:45 p.m. Friday, deputies were still engaged in a standoff. We will have more details on this story as they become available.

UPDATED 2:15 a.m., 3/24/12: The gunman who robbed a computer store and killed its owner was not located at the residence in the 43000 block of Grange Street, according to Deputy Peter Gomez. Gomez said officials disbanded from the location around 2 a.m. Saturday.

** The gunman was ID’s as 24-year-old Timothy Johnson and arrested. Read more here. **

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

60 comments for "UPDATED: Man shot dead in computer store robbery; gunman still at large"

  2. REST IN PEACE REED YOUR KILLER WAS CAUGHT TO BAD HE DIDNT GET SHOT IN THE CHEST AND HEAD LIKE YOU DID A KIND AND EASY GOING HUMAN BEING LIKE YOU DIDNT DESERVE THIS IT WOULD BE JUSTICE FOR THE REED FAMILY TO SHOT THE SUSPECT THE SAME WAY REED WAS SHOT ITS TIME FOR ALL STORE OWNERS TO ARMED THEM SELF

  4. After all the venom, tears, gutteral comments and anamosity, the Sheriffs did their job. Good Police Work! When they put their nose to the grind stone it works.

  6. If you want to see something that will make you sick,
    [link REMOVED for inflammatory content]

    • Wow! That is the most sickening thing I have ever read. They are now justifying killing people to get reparations!!!!!!!!!!

      • I doubt that site was managed by anyone worth taking serious… That is the equivalent to those d-bags at stormfront, only black instead of white… Just racist extremists that aren’t even worth taking seriously. They take current events and twist them to serve their crazy propaganda. You can’t let the crazies serve as an example for an entire group.

  8. Wow what a shock Reed was a nice man and was the best at his business. I look forward to reading the headlines when the LASD gets this guy. I know they will, and hopefully before the scumbag shoots again. Very sad day, I really liked Reed.

  9. I wonder why there are no marches for this “unarmed” businessman who was gunned down by this “armed” black man? Where are the bleeding heart liberal whiners pouring out their souls for this “unarmed” victim who all he did was come to work and got killed for it. No Justice, No peace…works two ways…

    • Well it is up to you people to start marching. I am sure black as well as white would march against any one who commits a horrible crime like this.

      • You’re funny ann. For the most part, with the exception of the “occupy” losers, most white folks don’t go out and march. My guess is, they see how foolish most folks at marches act, and don’t want to be associated with that behavior. However, if they DID go out and march, they would be labeled racists for “hatin” on some poor little underprivileged, under-served, black boy who was the victim of his environment, and the prison system, and if only there had been more “programs” for him growing up without a father, he never would have committed such a heinous act. I’ll pass on the marching and rely on our justice system to put this scum back where he belongs. Hey Jerry Brown, great job on that whole realignment thing. We need more a-holes like this roaming our streets. There’s more coming folks…stand by!

        • Excuse me if you thought I meant white people march. I mean everyone that feels this is a tragedy that one man killed another. The color does not matter. The crime does. People of all colors commits crimes? BLACK people feel the same about senseless violence as WHITE people do!! No sane person would reason with this behavior. All the stereo typing is a sign of small mindedness. I have encountered people in every color of the rainbow. Bad people come in all colors.

          • It would be nice to discuss facts, without all the racists comments. If the field was level,there would be no need for NAACP and organizations like the ACLU etc…I guess those of you that have not experienced it would like to believe that any Black person that makes a public stand for wrongs is some how lame. How do you suggest a person or family get help if they can not get help on a local level? No one wants to deal with this bs given the state of the economy and lack of jobs. How can everyone unite for the better of the community instead of all the anger. It is not helping.

          • Why do black people commit more violent crime than people of other races? Why do they harm others more and their own communities too? The FBI statistics for violent crime dont lie. They show that blacks commit more murders and more violent crime than any other group.

      • Well I’m sure ANN of the AV Human Relations Commission will call a special meeting with her fellow commissioners and quickly set up a press conference in the next few days to speak out against all of the recent violent crime in the last few days, and help organize a Neighborhood March as a show of solidarity between the AV law abiding citizens of ALL races and our local law enforcement. I can’t wait to learn of the date and the location. I will be waiting for this press conference! AVHRC, please don’t leave us hanging. Your credibility is on the line.

  10. It is sad for our society that drug addiction has destroyed many innocent lives. If we could only get a grip on addiction. Meth is such an evil drug and turns one into an evil killer. Meth changes one’s brain chemistry and a caring person becomes a cold hearted killer. It seems the harder the drug, the worse the crime. What is the solution?

    Zimmerman in Florida is a pathetic a-hole. He should get the death penalty. There is no justification for shooting someone who is unarmed and then claiming self defense. Seems more like a hate crime.

    Minorities need to stop crying discrimination. Everyone in the world has been discriminated against one time or another.

    • Zimmerman is a pathetic a-hole? You know this because you were there and you know Zimmerman? Wow, you should do local stand up, funny as heck there Valaan. I guess the black man who gunned down the computer store (white) owner is just a poor drug addicted man who needs guidance?

    • So he should get the death penalty before all the facts come out? Funny how the media hasnt been reporting this 17 old “kid” was a 6’2″ football player. Funny how they havent reported that at the time of the shooting he was on a 5 day suspension from school. Funny they havent reported that the shooter was bleeding from the face and the back of the head. Funny how they havent released the info from the witness who saw Trayvon on top of the shooter. But hey lets convict him before all the info comes out.

  11. Please post where the services will be held for Reed.
    A man will be remembered for being exceptional.

  12. Very sad day for me. Reed helped me with many of my computer issues and yes he was brillian and kind. A great loss for many of us. Mt Johnson was a drug addict and frequented Sun set Ridge apts. He stole from my son and now this. Another loss due to another meth addict no big suprise!

  13. The family of the man is still in shock and grieving heavily over this right now. Very sad day for them today! The life of a productive business man was taken by a non productive parasite who leeched off of society. Probably lived in a Section 8 house to boot! Thanks TCal! Thanks NAACP! Thanks LA county! Thanks for ruining our once safe and peacful community!

    I wonder is CNN, NBC or CBS will show up here? where is Ed Shultz, al Sharpton and Jane Velez Mitchell? Where is the rally for this man?

    I guess it doesnt matter since it was a white person who died.

  14. THIS MAKES ME SICK TO STOMACHE. THE STORE OWNER REED WAS A GREAT MAN WHO MINDED HIS OWN BUSINESS. HE WAS SO SMART,SWEET AND KIND. HE WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE. THERE WERE TIMES HE WOULD HOOK MY BOYFRIEND & I UP & FIX OUR LAPTOP FOR FREE. HOW COULD ANY HUMAN BEING DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HIM. THE GUY WHO DID THIS, WHATEVER COLOR OR RACE IS A EVIL LOW LIFE PIECE OF [removed] & I HOPE HE DIES IN JAIL & ROTS IN HELL! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE WILL BE CAUGHT. & LET THIS BE AN EYE OPENER THAT EVIL LINGERS ANYWHERE,EVEN IN OUR SMALL TOWN OF LANCASTER, SO PLEASE BE SMART & AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS & PROTECT YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES.
    GOD BLESS HIS WIFE & FAMILY
    GOD BLESS REED’S SOUL LET HIM R.I.P.

  15. It doesn’t matter what color, race, creed, or sex this monster is…the issue is that such a horrendous event took place and a wonderful, kind and brilliant human lost his life over senseless bull*hit. My husband and I

  16. Still waiting to hear from TCAL condemning this senseless act of violence. Will they call for a special commission investigating why African-American males are committing crimes? Or will they claim that the cops framed an innocent black man and this is really the store owner’s fault for being white? Stay tuned…..

    • You are spending too much energy on divisive comments. I am a Black American who loves the AV just as the White American residents do. eChaps is my neighborhood computer store and I am very fond of Mr. Keith. He has handled computer issues for me, my husband, and my two daughters for years and we’ve always been pleased by his genius. I was just there earlier this week and can not believe this has happened. I am extremely saddened and am just as outraged as you are about this. It doesn’t matter to me what the race of the killer is. A Killer is a Killer and would kill you as quick as he would kill me. So please stop with the hateful, divisive comments. We are all living here trying to make the best of our lives and our community. No one wants gangbangers, thieves, pedophiles, murderers, meth manufacturers, drug dealers or any other non-productive menace to society in our community. Unfortunately, they’re here and they come from all races and backgrounds. My family and I will miss you greatly Mr. Keith and we send our condolences to your family.

      • It’s important for this guy to believe all criminals are black. Notice he has nothing to say about the white pedophile on the other thread. Or all the white drunk drivers who killed 3 people. It’s a shame this guys death will be used by aholes like TA (and all his other names) to get us to hate each other. Mr. Kieth sounds like he was the opposite of TA. Sorry for the loss of your friend Tflorence.

        • And Matt, the difference is I want ALL criminals prosecuted if caught or dispensed with if they are in the act of attacking an innocent victim or fleeing lawful arrest.

          Unlike you and TCAL and the NAACP, I don’t care what their skin color is. If they are criminals I want them to feel the full weight of the law landing right on top of their worthless-to-society heads.

          So take your race card and shove it, King of all Aholes.

          See, I can name call too.

          • Then why are you fixated on blacks and not the white criminals? And had to go back to see who you were whining about, and found this;

            http://www.theavtimes.com/2012/02/08/families-activists-unite-to-demand-accountability-in-deputy-involved-shootings/

            So I guess your insisting they only support black folks at the press conf you keep referring to brought info on the shootings of a black guy white guy and Hispanic guy. LOL bastards! How dare them clubs talk about the black guy. They should of stuck to the dead white and Hispanic guys only.

          • You also don’t seem to have a problem with the incredibly white Lancaster CC for jumping to conclusions on the deputy involved shooting with the Hispanic kid? Before any investigation? That was OK, right?

          • Hey Matt,

            Show me one white criminal who is claiming he was only arrested because he is white and show me a white group that is complaining the sheriff’s are only arresting/shooting white criminals and I’ll bust their chops too.

            You, like TCAL, NAACP, Sharpton, Jackson, et al, completely miss the point. If you are going to act like a criminal, don’t be surprised to be treated like a criminal by society.

          • And there’s Matt S, coming to the aid of the ‘underdog’…again. How predictable. TA’s point is right on the money: who cares what race, they all need caught and dealt with. Oh, and that link Matt, you really think they give a s**t about Donald Handy? LOL…..yeah, they care about a career dope dealer. He just got thrown into their “oh poor us, look what the mean ole’ cops did” little protest, since it had happened recently. Here’s a trivia question, go down to the sheriff’s station and ask them, out of all the robberies in the valley, what race is responsible for most of them? Again I ask, where are you, TCAL, NAACP, Parker, Jesse,Al,etc…etc….crickets….

      • Tell that to TCAL and NAACP who literally break their necks dashing off to condemn the deputies here in the AV whenever a black person is shot and killed while fleeing/resisting lawful arrest.

        Or is it okay for them to call press conferences and use tragic events for their own political use just because they are black while everyone else just has to shut up and take it?

  17. This guy will get caught don’t worry, he will be bragging to one of his fellow parolee active gang member homies. Who will then tell someone else blah blah blah, these guys always do. He will get caught slippin while he is sippin on that 40oz. Folks let this be another wake up call to the AV, the peeps are armed and stupid, be proactive. Make sure you don’t get caught slippin. God bless this local business owner and longtime resident of this once proud Lil town we call the AV.

  18. He’s off free with that gun and able to shoot someone else. The helicopter was out circling for hours but I guess they gave up. Such a sad story!

  19. This was rite by my neiborhood.. They should of went rite into the house armed and shot the lifeless pile of shi*
    It’s too bad he wasn’t actually at the house I wonder where he’s at now.!

  21. I feel sooooo sorry for this man, his family, and all that knew him. Our family has known him for a while and he did not deserve to die this way, no one does!!!! I hope they catch who did this.

  22. Age, Race, Sex or community stature doesnt matter in any of these shootings. What matters is they were both innocent. I knew this dear man in Lancaster, minding his own, trying to make a honest living. I believe Justice will prevail!!!

  23. Wow. Wonder if President Obama, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton – along with the usual suspects from TCAL and the NAACP – will dash to Lancaster to condemn this senseless act of violence committed by an African-American against an innocent white man just going about his business.

    Yeah. Right.

    • You’re going to compare a shooting during a robbery to the shooting of a kid walking home from the store? Brilliant!

      • The fact that you dont want to compare them in your mind is the real tragedy! This was done in cold blood.

        • DUH! A criminal killed someone in the process of their crime. A wanna be cop killed a kid because he was black and in a hoody. A whole valley is looking for the criminal. The wanna be cop is located and walking free after the real cops refused to charge him because Fl says you can kill someone if you find a kid scary.
          Exactly the same.

        • Here’s the difference. In one case, there’s a massive manhunt going and police are doggedly pursuing the man believed to be responsible for a cold-blooded killing. In another case, police KNOW who is responsible for the cold-blooding killing and yet he still walks the streets as a free man. No one is denying that the man responsible for this heinous crime in Lancaster shouldn’t be locked up because he most definitely should! But in this case, the police are at least doing there jobs and searching for the killer in an attempt to bring him to justice!!

      • Not me. Just a sad stupid reason to die. Because some ahole scum wanted what wasn’t his. Don’t know why TA wants to make it about race.

        • I’m sorry Matt. I wasn’t aware that only African Americans are allowed to rush to judgment before all of the facts are in.

  24. I hope our Sheriffs are able to find this heartless killer. I give the Sheriffs my permission to shoot first and ask questions later. SCUMBAG!!!

  25. I hope our local sheriff’s are able to track down and capture this heartless individual. Hopefully TCAL and LULAC and help put an end to what is really threatening our community!