Three Men Killed in L.A. Shootings

By KENNETH REICH
TIMES STAFF WRITER

August 20 2002

Three men were killed in separate South Los Angeles shootings Sunday night and early Monday, police said. No suspects were apprehended.

Two of the dead men were identified as Carlos Florina, 22, and Manuolevao Stibbie, 23, both of Los Angeles, said an LAPD spokesman, Jack Richter. The third victim was not identified, pending notification of his family.

Florina died outside the Margarita Jones nightclub at 37th Place and Flower Street, near the Los Angeles Coliseum. Police said someone walked up to him at 2:20 a.m. Monday, accused him of being a gang member and shot him. Police said Florina was not a gang member.

The assailant left with the driver of a newer model silver or gray Ford Expedition, according to witnesses, Richter said. The shooter was described as a Latino, 21 to 27, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds.

Stibbie was shot about 8:40 p.m. Sunday while driving east on 223rd Street near Western Avenue in Harbor City. He was fired upon from another car, police said. Richter said Stibbie lost control of his vehicle, which overturned and hit several parked cars.

A third fatal shooting took place at 12:10 a.m. Monday on 40th Street between Vermont and Menlo avenues. Richter said the victim was on foot.

Less than an hour later, four men were wounded, one seriously, at the El Culichi nightclub on Imperial Highway in La Mirada. Three suspects were being sought, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.