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Off-duty security guard shot and killed outside restaurant in Hawthorne

Security guard fatally shot after brawl outside Hawthorne burger restaurant
Security guard fatally shot after brawl outside Hawthorne burger restaurant 02:29

Hawthorne police officers arrested a man who allegedly shot and killed an off-duty security guard during an altercation outside a restaurant in Hawthorne early Wednesday.

Investigators said 57-year-old Eddie McAllister was shot while he was getting food at Fabulous Burgers, located at 3301 Rosecrans Ave, around 2 a.m. after he got done with work.

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Eddie McAllister, 57-years-old McAllister Family

His family obtained video from the incident, which shows an unknown man and McAllister arguing and exchanging several punches before both fall to the ground. During the brawl, the suspect can be seen grabbing what appears to be a gun from his waistband, which he drops to the floor. 

Moments after both fell, the video shows the suspect grabbing the object and a loud bang rings out. It was then that investigators believe McAllister was shot. The suspect can then be seen putting the object back into his pants. 

McAllister's daughter says that her father was on his way home from work in South Gate and had stopped to grab something to eat when the tragedy occurred. 

"It's just the unimaginable," Emani McAllister said. "But, it's now my reality and I have to face it. ... I can never pick up the phone and call my dad again."

Family gathered to place candles at the site of the shooting late Wednesday, where they mourned the loss of the man who leaves behind five children and one grandchild.

Hawthorne police officers were able to identify the possibly shooting suspect from the video and he was arrested in a nearby city a short time later. They do not believe that he and McAllister knew each other. 

Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Hawthorne Police Department Detective Bureau.

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