SoCalHoops News

Police Looking For Help In Slaying
Of Ex-Lakers' Son--(Nov. 15, 1998)

This is a terrible story, but one which can possibly use your help.  We saw this today in the Daily Breeze, a local newspaper which covers the Santa Monica, Torrance and South Bay communities.  We're republishing it in full in the hope that some of our readers may have information which can help solve this case.

Detectives sought the public's help Friday in their effort to solve the slaying of a 19-year-old Lawndale man, the son of a former Los Angeles Laker. Lee Christopher Ellis was found shot to death Oct.1 in the 1200 block of West 112th Street in the unincorporated Athens area. He was last seen playing basketball with two young men at Jane Addams Park in Lawndale. Detectives suspect he might have gone with them.

Ellis is the son of Leroy Ellis, who played for the Lakers in the 1970s, and brother of LeRon Ellis, who played briefly for the Clippers.  Detectives believe Ellis was shot during a carjacking. Residents heard several shots, found the victim on the sidewalk and saw a dark sedan driving away.

Deputies are still searching for a 1981 dark blue two-door Buick Regal with license plate number 1AZN336, sheriff's deputy Steve Sciacca said. Deputies also want to identify the two men playing basketball with Ellis at the Lawndale park about 4:30 p.m. that day.

Sciacca encouraged anyone who might know the men to contact detectives at (323) 890-5500.

Both men are only wanted for questioning at this time, he said.

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