Ode to Doe: Nameless Boy Shot by Police

Artist's depiction of the potential appearance of John Doe during their lifetime. Credit: Carl Koppelman

On February 9, 1968, Los Angeles police officers were called to the scene of a burglary at a cleaning shop in the early morning hours. The officers—Charles Livingston and Robert Hutton—arrived at 3870 Normandie Ave. just after 5 a.m. to find a young black man attempting to break into the building. The young man fled, managing to hide himself in a nearby trash can. When the officers confronted him again, the boy fled the trash can and attempted to escape over a fence. Livingston then fired a shot. His partner, Hutton, allegedly believing he'd been shot at, also fired a shot at the fleeing boy. It isn't known which shot was the end, but the young man did not make it out of his run-in with the police alive.

Upon searching the deceased suspect, he was found to have no form of identification on his person. No weapon was found and it is unclear why Livingston fired when he did. The boy was young, just 15 to 20 years old. He was 5'3" with a slim build, weighing 156 lbs. His hair was short, black, and curly. The night he was killed he had been wearing a knitted green turtle neck, green sweater, navy blue serge-style pants, a pair of hard-soled high-top shoes, olive green socks, and white boxer shorts. He also may have gone by the name Randolph Houser.

Autopsy photo of John Doe. Credit: NCMEC

Unfortunately, that's all we know about the young man, who still remains nameless. If you think you may have information relevant to the progression or solving of this case, please contact Betsy Magdaleno at the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office either by phone - 323-343-0754 - or email - bmagdaleno(at)coroner.lacounty.gov - and reference case number 1968-01481, or contact NamUs. In the case of NamUs, the Regional Program Specialist contact for this case is Allison O'Neal. She can be reached at 817-372-4169 or allison.oneal@unthsc.edu.

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