Slain Off-Duty South Bay Security Guard Identified

HAWTHORNE, CA —An off-duty security guard who was shot and killed in the parking lot of a South Bay burger restaurant was identified by official Los Angeles County authorities on Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the man as 57-year-old Eddie McAllister of Lawndale.

The Hawthorne Police Department responded to the shooting at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday at 3301 Rosecrans Ave. in the parking lot of Fabulous Charbroiled Burgers. Witnesses told police that McAllister and the suspect physically fought before the suspect took out a gun and shot McAllister.

LA County Fire Department paramedics attempted life-saving measures on McAllister, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Police were able to locate and arrest the suspect, whose identity was not shared, later in the day on Wednesday.

"Based on statements and evidence collected at the scene, Hawthorne officers and detectives were able to quickly identify a possible suspect," police said in a statement. "That suspect was tracked to a nearby location in a neighboring city. At that location, the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident."

McAllister's family told Fox 11 that he stopped to get takeout at the restaurant after he got off work as an unarmed security guard at a different establishment. Investigators told reporters that the incident was a "senseless shooting."

Family members told Fox 11 that McAllister was a father to four children.

Anyone who may have additional information about the incident was urged to contact the Hawthorne Police Department at 310-349-2820.

City News Service Contributed to this report.