LOS ANGELES – Mylik Birdsong, a professional boxer, was fatally shot while fleeing from two attackers in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
The incident took place around 4:50 p.m. Sunday in the 1600 block of West 87th Street, according to reports from the Los Angeles Police Department. Birdsong was standing outside a home when two suspects arrived in a vehicle and opened fire. The assailants pursued Birdsong on foot, continuing to shoot until he was mortally wounded.
Paramedics transported Birdsong to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not provided any details about the suspects or their vehicle. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
Although officials did not disclose the victim’s identity, sources have identified Birdsong, 31, who was gearing up for a match on Oct. 26. He held a professional boxing record of 15 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Out of his total number of victories, 10 of them came by knockout.
Birdsong captured the vacant World Boxing Foundation international welterweight title on March 23, defeating Jerry Bradford with a unanimous eight-round decision at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower.
To honor Birdsong, a candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Tuesday night.