One of the participants in a suspected road-rage-fueled fistfight in West Hollywood has been charged with murder in the other’s death.
Ramon Casas, 48, and Armando Gabriel fought after a traffic collision in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven on Santa Monica Boulevard Tuesday afternoon.
A witness told KTLA that the two men squared off before the larger of the two men struck the other, knocking him unconscious.
“But it didn’t look like it was a punch that would kill someone,” the witness said, emphasizing that it was “just one punch.”
“You never know and that’s why I’m like, ‘Damn, I’m going to keep my mouth shut,'” he said.
In a release announcing that Casas is being charged with murder, District Attorney George Gascón offered “our deepest sympathies to Armando Gabriel’s family and the entire community.”
“This tragic and senseless act of violence is a sobering reminder of how swiftly lives can be shattered in a single moment,” he said. “Our office is committed to working tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for such devastating acts are held fully accountable.”
Casas is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to next appear in court on Sept. 19.
If convicted, Casas faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.