Articles
October 25, 2012
By Francis Taylor
Contributing Writer
The only physical remains from the early Saturday morning double homicide and arson case on 99th Street in Inglewood, California, are the charred remains of the small cottage, 55 year-old, Haitian born, Desmond John Moses set ablaze after fatally shooting two and wounding three other family members.
Apparently motivated by a recent Sheriff’s notice to vacate the small structure he had occupied for years, following an eviction hearing, Moses entered the cottage of his neighbors, situated on the same property, owned by Fillimon Lamas, his wife and their four children at about 4:00 am. He shot all but the oldest child who is seven years old.
Armed with a .38 caliber revolver, a bullet-proof vest, a painter’s mask, and a pocket full of bullets, Moses fled the apartment after the shooting and reportedly, returned to his cottage where he shot himself in the head after setting his cottage on fire.
Even though a positive identification of the suspect had not been concluded at press time, it is significant that the partially burned remains of a middle-aged black man, wearing a bullet-proof vest, with bullets in his pocket, and a .38 revolver in his hand, registered to Moses, were found among the burned debris inside his cottage.
It was also reported that the fire department responded immediately but did not approach the property because the firefighters did not know the whereabouts of the shooter. Moses’ cottage burned to the
ground.
Reports indicate that Moses was a reclusive neighbor who objected to the young children playing in an area that would be considered his front yard. He barely spoke to his neighbors and did not engage in light conversation or friendly, neighborhood chatter.
His .38 caliber handgun is typically used by armed security officers and Moses had been registered as licensed ‘guard/patrol person’ since the mid 1980s.
Neighbors said Moses appeared to have no friends or family and had not paid rent in years. Online records from the California Department of Consumer Affairs show that Moses has held a “guard/patrolperson registration” since 1984 and his registration was maintained in a current status.
The Inglewood (IPD) and Hawthorne (HPD) Police Departments have established memorial funds to assist the remaining family with burial and other expenses.
For donations through the IPD, they are being accepted at ICE Federal Credit Union in Inglewood or by calling (310) 412-5493 and referencing the Lamas Family Donation Fund/Account #5223.
HPD donations can be made at any local Wells Fargo branch, or by calling the Hawthorne Wells Fargo at (310) 973-6279, and referencing the Jimenez/Lamas Donation Fund/Account #4122412588.