West Hollywood road rage incident: Man arrested, charged with murder

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after allegedly fatally striking another driver during a road rage incident this week in West Hollywood, authorities said.

At 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responded to a convenience store in the 7900 block of West Santa Monica Boulevard after receiving a call for assistance.

When officers arrived, they found Armando Gabriel, 68, of Los Angeles, unconscious on the sidewalk in front of the store.

Los Angeles County firefighters took Gabriel to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Ramon Casas, a 48-year-old Bell Gardens resident, was arrested by deputies at the scene.

According to the sheriff’s office, Gabriel and Casas were involved in a minor collision in the convenience store parking lot. A confrontation ensued, during which authorities say Casas assaulted Gabriel, knocking him unconscious.

“I just punched this guy in the face,” Sean Harrison, who was getting food at a nearby restaurant, told KTLA-TV.

Casas was arrested and charged with murder. He remains in custody on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Information may also be reported anonymously by calling (800) 222-8477, online at lacrimestoppers.org or using the “P3 Tips” mobile application.