‘He's a Nice, Young Man': 24-Year-Old Shot, Killed in Hyde Park

A 24-year-old man described by neighbors as a "nice, young, working man" died early Wednesday morning after he was shot in Hyde Park, police said.

The shooting was reported at 12:40 a.m. in the 2300 block of West 54th Street near 2nd Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Division.

The man was outside the door to the stairs of the apartment complex where he rents a room when a gunman fired at him from the northwest corner of 54th Street and 2nd Avenue, according to LAPD Homicide Division's Det. Chris Barling. It was not clear if the gunman fired the gun on foot or from a car, he said.

Neighbors said the victim's mother ran downstairs when the shooting happened, and that she did chest compressions on her son until police and paramedics arrived.

He was taken to the hopsital in grave condition. 

The man, identified as Keenen Hogue of Los Angeles, died at the hospital at 1:11 a.m. Wednesday, according to Barling.

A nearby resident, who did not want to identify herself, said she heard gunshots and dropped to the floor. When she looked out the window, she saw a body on the street, approached it and was devastated when she realized she knew him.

"He's a nice, young man," she said. "No trouble. No gang banger or anything. A working young man. His life ended so early."

According to Barling, Hogue was involved with starting a food bank, helping out people who were less fortunate than him.

Authorities said Hogue did not have a criminal history.

One buisness owner, James Stewart, found bullet holes and broken windows from the shooting at his business, Stewart Independent Living Services.

"You know to come out here, and see this happen, and see my business, and my windows, and everything that's been shot, and nobody knows what happened," Stewart said. "So something has to be done ... and it has to be done soon."

What led to the shooting is unclear, but an investigation is underway. 

The victim's mother and some neighbors are wondering if Hogue was mistaken for someone else when he was shot.

It was unknown whether the shooting was gang related.

Police are canvassing the area for surveillance footage. There was no description of the gunman as of 12 p.m. Wednesday.

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call 877-527-3247.

Kristina Bugante, Jessica Rice and Oleevia Woo contributed to this report.