On the night of March 29, 2002, officers responded to a call of shots fired at 4600 Hartley Street. Upon their arrival, the officers found 30-year-old Linzy Pierson, aka Bugsy, "lying on the sidewalk suffering from several gunshot wounds. Paramedics were called and Pierson was declared dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing Pierson talking with an unidentified black male on the sidewalk. The male said, "Its going to be like that, huh?" and then produced a gun and began firing at Pierson. Pierson collapsed and the suspect stood over him and fired several more rounds. The suspect then fled on foot.