On June 29, 2020, 30 year-old gas station clerk Sean Searcy was shot and killed during an apparent robbery by a lone gunman.
Homicide investigators obtained video from the gas station located in the 500 block of West Avenue J, Lancater, and other surveillance systems in the area.
Investigators have conducted an extensive investigation since the night of the incident. Assisted by the video footage and witness statements, Homicide Detectives identified Marcell Sullivan, a 29 year-old Lancaster resident, as the suspect in the murder/robbery.
On August 25, 2020, deputy personnel assigned to Lancaster Sheriff’s Station located Suspect Sullivan in the city of Lancaster and arrested him without incident.
A search warrant was subsequently served at the suspect’s residence and a handgun believed to be the murder weapon was seized.
Marcell Sullivan was booked and remains in custody on a “No Bail” murder warrant at Lancaster Station.
Investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on August 27, 2020, for consideration of filing a formal complaint.
For additional information contact: Lieutenant Scott Hoglund at 323-890-5500.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Forwarded by:
Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
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FIRST UPDATE IS AS FOLLOWS:
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a male adult that occurred on Monday, June 29, 2020, at approximately 8:23 P.M. in the 500 block of West Avenue J in Lancaster.
Detectives have learned that Lancaster Station deputies responded to a business regarding an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Gunshot Victim” call. Upon their arrival, deputies located the victim inside the business with gunshot wounds to the upper torso.
The victim, a male White adult, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect entered the business and shot the victim, who was an employee, in what detectives believe to be an armed robbery.
The suspect, described as a male White adult, was last seen fleeing the location on foot.
The incident does not appear to be gang-related.
The weapon has not been recovered.
The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS:
DATE: Monday, June 29, 2020
TIME: 8:23PM
LOCATION: 500 blk of W. Ave. J., Lancaster
VICTIM: Male Adult
SUSPECT: Unknown
UNIT: Homicide Bureau – Lieutenant Reynaga
NARRATIVE:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide investigators are responding to the shooting death of a male adult that occurred on Monday, June 29, 2020, at approximately 8:23PM, on the 500 block of W. Ave. J., Lancaster.
The victim pronounced dead at the scene.
There is no additional information available at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Written by:
Deputy Tracy Koerner
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
