California Tow Truck Driver Shot And Killed After Repossessing Car

Los Angeles County police say a tow truck driver was shot and killed early Sunday in a repossession attempt that turned deadly, KNBC, Los Angeles reported. Authorities said a vehicle chased the truck driver across several cities before he was killed by a passenger in the car.

The shooting occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the Compton area. Investigators say the tow truck driver was towing a white Dodge Caliber he’d repossessed and was pursued by a car through Los Angeles County. When he crashed into another vehicle in an intersection in South Gate, he stepped out of the truck and was shot and killed by at least one person riding in the car following him, officials said.

Witnesses said they heard 10 to 12 rounds fired. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"We think it’s a repossession that has gone bad," sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson said.

The driver has been identified by friends and family as Steve Lawson of Bellflower, California. Authorities have arrested two people, but their connection to the case was unclear.

Lawson’s death comes just a month after tow truck driver Junior Jordan Montero was shot and killed while attempting to repossess a pickup truck at a home in Fauquier County, Virginia.

Carrol Gregg, 53, the truck’s owner, said he shot Montero, 23, as he was repossessing the vehicle, causing the tow truck and pickup truck to slide into a ditch filled with water. Divers attempted to save Montero, but they were unsuccessful. Gregg was charged with second-degree murder in the case.