Local News in Brief : Angry Mob Beats Suspect
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A man who was beaten by an angry mob after firing shots outside a downtown Los Angeles church was reported in good condition Monday in the jail ward of County-USC Medical Center, where he was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnaping and grand theft auto.
Los Angeles Police Detective Tim Dotson said the trouble began during Sunday Mass at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church at the Old Plaza when an 18-year-old woman sitting with her family recognized a bracelet worn by a man in the next pew.
Dotson said the bracelet had been made for the woman by her father but had been taken at gunpoint three years ago when bandits broke into their San Pedro home. When the family confronted the man after services, Dotson said, the man fired shots at them and then tried to commandeer a passing taxicab, assaulting the driver and attempting to shoot him.
Before he could escape, Dotson said, other churchgoers arrived and dragged the gunman, later identified as Alfonso Deleon, 34, of Van Nuys, from the vehicle and pummelled him until police came to his rescue.
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