Deaf Woman Sleeps While Friend Is Killed
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Adeaf Long Beach man was shot in a Van Nuys apartment while his friend, also deaf, slept through the shooting in an adjacent bedroom, authorities said.
James E. Powell Jr., 27, was killed while visiting a friend, Yvonne Burnita, in the 15300 block of Vanowen Street on Friday night, police said. Burnita took a nap, and when she awoke an hour later she found Powell dead in her living room, said homicide Detective Paul Stewart.
“Due to her hearing condition, she did not hear the intruder or the shots,” Stewart said.
Powell had connections with local gangs and “the incident may be gang-related,” Stewart said.
Police have no suspects in custody.
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