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Updated: Man shot to death in Lake LA, neighbor arrested for the murder

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The fatal shooting happened at the victim's Lake Los Angeles home in the 38600 block of 159th Street East.
The fatal shooting happened at the victim’s Lake Los Angeles home in the 38600 block of 159th Street East. (Photos by ED FROMMER)

LAKE LOS ANGELES – A man was shot and killed in Lake Los Angeles Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The incident was reported around 7:30 p.m., and happened in the 38600 Block of 159th Street East, according to Sheriff’s Department press report.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

UPDATED 3/20/13@ 12:22 p.m.

The victim's neighbor, Michael Norton, was arrested at the scene for the murder.
The victim’s neighbor, Michael Norton, was arrested at the scene for the murder.

The fatal shooting was the end result of a dispute between neighbors, officials said.

Michael Robert Norton, who lives next door from the victim, has been arrested for the murder, according to LASD inmate records.

Norton, 58, and the victim were arguing in a garage before the shooting, according to homicide detectives at the scene. Norton left the garage but came back and allegedly shot the victim, detectives at the scene said.

The victim, who was a single parent, died at the scene. His children were at home during the incident, according to published reports.

Norton was arrested at the scene and booked for murder around 11:45 p.m. at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, with bail set at $1 million.

Norton is due in court Thursday to answer charges.

UPDATED @ 3:55 p.m.

The shooting victim has been identified as 46-year-old William Kenneth Mayes of Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

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34 comments for "Updated: Man shot to death in Lake LA, neighbor arrested for the murder"

  1. Rip bill big daddy Mayes he was a standup guy I enjoyed,working with him @ rite aid he will be missed

  2. You Have no right judging my father WHO was taking from us by Norton..my father is a Hero!!!!you dont know he left 6 children n 4 grandchildren behind…..

  3. Michael Robert Norton is not listed on the Megan’s Law sex offender registry, so I would not jump to the conclusion that he is a pervert or pedophile.

    I feel alcohol is to blame in this case. The AVpress story says both of them were drinking and I know from personal experience that alcohol can make people say and do things they would never do while sober. Like saying something inappropriate about a friends underage daughter.. or.. going and getting a gun when you are angry with someone.

    Also – according to the AVpress story – the victim had just moved in recently to that house, so perhaps he made a mistake becoming friendly with Norton. If I had a dollar for every time in my life I became friends with someone and didn’t realize it was a mistake until it was too late… in my case though, it never cost me my life.

    Rest In Peace- William Kenneth Mayes… I wish I had been your neighbor instead of him.. I live in a bad neighborhood in Palmdale, and good neighbors are so hard to come by.

    • Regardless of Norton not being on the Megan’s list I know he had made previous creepy looks and comments to the girls. I saw Bill moments before and moments after this tragic event and know that he died protecting his family.

    • You Have no right judging my father WHO was taking from us by Norton..my father is a Hero!!!!you dont know he left 6 children n 4 grandchildren behind…..

  4. People are so stupid there quick to run in get a gun what a coward he’ll get his tho’ he daughter Elizabeth Mayes is my sister if you hurt her you hurt me R.I.P. William Kenneth Mayes God you and your family

  5. He’s my uncle and I haven’t gotten to see him in years. I’m sorry I can’t be there to see my cousins and say goodbye.

  6. I HEARD A JUDGE SAY THATS ONE THING YOU DON’T WANT TO EVER DO, IS TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR. ALWAYS ALWAYS BE THE BIGGER PERSON AND KEEP
    THE PEACE. BECAUSE YOU BOTH HAVE TO LIVE ON THE SAME BLOCK.

    • Norton is a pedophile. He was making sexual advances at the man’s 13 year old daughter. Norton is a coward and needs to spend the rest of his useless life in prison.

      • From the AVP account sounds like he was a loose cannon.Unfortunate that the neighborhood couldn’t band together and deal with him before this happened.
        Sad for these girls.

        • How would you suggest neighbors could have dealt with him? I really, honestly, want to know what a neighbor can do when you have a neighbor that is a “loose cannon” but flys under the radar all the time.

      • you are full of it Mike not do anything like that it was most probably the other way around jackass

      • Yeah you are a pedophile covering up lying bastard Mike helped families what did you do to him you freaks of nature.

  7. I WONDER IF MR. NORTON NOW FEELS THE RESPECT HE WAS SEEKING WHEN HE PULLED THE TRIGGER!! PLEASE FOLKS LETS LEARN A LESSON “ANGER AND RAGE” ARE BAD ADVISORS!!

    • It was not about respect. Norton was about to be exposed for the pedophile he is. He is a predator and those girls would of never been sahfe living next to him.

      • OH! REALLY? WOW! I SAW ON A NEWS REPORT THAT SUPPOSEDLY MR. NORTON AT ONE POINT FELT “disrespected” AND THATS WHY HE FELT COMPELLED TO SHOOT THE DECEASED MR. MAYES (RIP)

      • You are full of crap he probably shot at that guy to scare him and so drunk he missed or he shot him because that father was a pedophile you circus without clowns.

  8. I just found out I know this person, anyone have more info? It makes me sick
    to think it happened to anyone much less someone I know
    I feel for those girls

  10. I dont feel like this is real, i see it and im reading it, but i still feel like i can pick up the phone and call you bill, i know you were a great man, you held your family together, and had the biggest heart. RIP bill, you will be missed GREATLY. We love you.

    that scumbag will rot in hell for this.

  11. R.I.P bill you were like a dad to me. You will be forever missed. You didnt deserve to die like this. To my hest friend angie i love u girl and im so sorry to hear what happened to dad. That man.will.rot in hell for this

  12. Honestly that is why I dont get to know my neighbors, I will help them if I see they are needing 911 type help other than that you stay to your business and I stay to mine..

    That is soooooo sad for the children and the family of the Victim, for it to get this far , and over what we dont know… But it cant be worth a Man losing his life, or children losing their father.. NOW for the shooter he can rought in Jail…

    My Condolences to the Family….