Man surrenders to LAPD in skid row slaying
by Andrew Blankstein (LA Times)
April 19, 2010
A man wanted in connection with the slaying of a well-known skid row resident has surrendered to Los Angeles police detectives, authorities said Monday.
Charles Colbert, 50, was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the Friday shooting of Conrad Fitzgerald Phillip. Colbert called detectives Sunday night after he saw himself on the news, said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon.
“Despite the arrest, the investigation continues,” Vernon said. “We want to encourage the public to provide any tips they may have on this case.”
Phillip, 41, known by the nickname, Dread, for the long dreadlocks he wore, was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound to the head about 5:15 a.m. outside a skateboard shop at Los Angeles and 6th streets, police said.
A security guard working nearby heard the gunshot and noticed a man running near the intersection toward Main Street, Vernon said. The security guard then discovered Phillip’s body on the west side of the sidewalk, he said.
In the wake of the shooting, officers set up a square-mile perimeter to try to find the suspect, who was described as a black man, about 6 feet tall, weighing 180 to 200 pounds and wearing an Army-style jacket.
Colbert is being held without bail at the downtown Metropolitan Jail.
Can you share any information you may have about the outcome of this case and what happened to Charles Colbert?
Thanks,
Bill