Robert Hunter, 34

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Robert Hunter, 34, a black man, was shot in back of the Southern Missionary Baptist Church at 4678 Adams Blvd at about 10:20 a.m. Saturday, April 28. He died at a hospital later that night.

Hunter had been attending a funeral for Compton homicide victim Isaac Tobias (see previous coroner’s list below). Hunter was Tobias’ cousin. He was struck in the head by gunfire. Two other people, a black man and a woman, 33, sustained bullet-graze wounds to their legs and ankles, were treated at a hospital and released.

Hunter and the suspect were in the crowd at the back entrance to the church, police said. Officers said they believe there was an argument, and the suspect left in anger, then returned with a gun and began shooting. Other funeral-goers produced guns and shot back. Hearing gunshots, the congregants flooded out the front doors. The suspect escaped. Hunter’s brother carried him to a car and drove him as far as a fire station, from which paramedics transported him to a hospital.

Sgt. Adrian Moody of LAPD’s Southwest Division said people were getting in their cars and leaving in droves when he arrived. Moody said Tobias’ family had sought several places to hold the service and been turned down because pastors and funeral directors feared gang violence. They had finally found the pastor on West Adams, far away from Compton, who agreed to do the service.

Violence at funerals and burials for the victims of gang violence occurs now and then in Los Angeles--one reason police assign extra patrols to such memorials. In this case, police knew of the funeral and there were extra patrols in the area .

As is common in such cases, a number of potential witness have refused to talk to police, including a private security motor officer hired to escort the procession, said LAPD Southwest Det. Dave Garrido. Anyone with tips is asked to call detectives at (213) 485-2417.