The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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CSUN student shot, killed in home; 3 arrested

Daily Sundial

A 20-year-old CSUN student was fatally shot in the head at approximately 3 p.m. on Jan. 15 at his Northridge apartment, said an Los Angeles Police Department detective.

Blake Anthony Crawford was taken to the Northridge Medical Center where he died the following day, Monday, Jan. 16.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the incident on Jan. 16 by the LAPD, Devonshire division.

The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Feb.1 at San Fernando Superior Court for the murder of Crawford.

Albert Adams, 27, of Canoga Park; Vincent Solomon, 32, of Van Nuys; and Christopher Garner, 30, also of Van Nuys; are being held at the Los Angeles County Jail without bail, according to the District Attorney’s office.

The three men have each been formally charged with one count of murder, one count of home invasion robbery, and one count of burglary.

In addition to the three charges, Adams is also being held on one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Detective Joel Price said Adams is specifically suspected of the killing. Police believe an “expected person” came to the apartment looking to purchase marijuana, when an argument over an unknown matter occurred and Crawford was killed.

“It’s not my job to determine (their) justice,” said Alonzo Crawford,was the victim’s father, in regard to the three suspects, adding that, “(he) had to forgive them,” to help get over the event. Alonzo Crawford also thought of the suspects’ families and said they had nothing to do with the matter and felt sorry for them.

Police also believe some marijuana was taken from the premises, but are not sure as to how much.

Blake Crawford’s roommate and a friend were also in the apartment at the time, but in different areas.

A tenant, whose name is being withheld due to his age, said that he had suspicions that drugs were being sold from Blake Crawford’s apartment.

According to Alonzo Crawford, his son did not know the assailant. Alonzo Crawford said that the person was probably mad and just wanted to take his anger out on someone.

Blake Crawford’s funeral was held on Jan. 25 in his hometown of Stockton. His burial was on Jan. 27 at Old Mission San Luis Rey, Inc. Cemetery in Oceanside.

John Chandler, university spokesperson, said Blake Crawford started attending CSUN in Fall 2003 as a management major and was to return this spring.

“He was very proud to be a CSUN student,” said Tanya Gover, Blake Crawford’s mother, , adding that students were always at the hospital, including members of Blake Crawford’s fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, CSUN chapter.

Blake Crawford had six siblings: Ryun Crawford, Alondra Crawford, Alonzo Crawford II, Chantell Colvard, Kyle Gover, and Courtney Gover.

Gover said that her son had his organs donated. His liver went to a family friend in Stockton.

“This man has another chance at living,” Gover said about the donation, and added that it made her son’s death a little easier to deal with.

The three suspects appeared at the Superior Courthouse on Jan. 18, and the preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Chandler and Ryan Finney, director of sport’s information at CSUN, said Crawford was never on the CSUN golf team and never had an athletic scholarship.

Alonzo Crawford said that the death of his son falling on Martin Luther King Jr. day was fitting because King was a great man and that “(Blake) himself was a great man.”

Alonzo Crawford said that his son would have turned 21 on Feb. 27.

Gover said that the last thing Crawford said to her after he was shot was, “I love you, mom.”

Jennifer Balao can be reached at jlb72340@csun.edu. Samuel Richard can be reached at editor@csun.edu.

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