On Episode 203 of Unsolved with Steve Gregory, we look into the murder of Willie Pigram III.
On the evening of September 26th, 2004, 20-year-old Willie Pigram and his friends went cruising on Crenshaw Boulevard near 120th Street. This area was a well-known gathering spot for young people to show off their cars and socialize.
Willie was driving his green Chevy El Camino; a friend was in the passenger seat. While cruising the area they were told a DUI checkpoint was being set up by the police department. Willie and the other drivers in the convoy of 75 cars diverted to a Lowe’s parking lot. Since the business was closed, the drivers decided to continue their cruising up and down the rows in the parking lot.
Steve shadows LA County Sheriff’s deputies as they use body cams for the first time.
While Willie was stopped he was approached by a young black man. The man asked Willie, “Where you from Homie?” (Indicating gang affiliation) Pigram responded “We’re from nowhere” the man replied “Yeah, yeah, you better be from nowhere.” Pigram slowly drove off. Pigram continued to drive along the row of cars when the same man walked back up to Pigram’s opened car window and without provocation pulled out a handgun and shot Pigram several times.
Willie’s friend leaped through the passenger window and ran. Pigram slumped over the steering wheel with his foot still on the gas pedal. The car slowly traveled through the parking lot, hitting other vehicles, and eventually bumped into a curb and came to a stop. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pigram had been shot 8 times.
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The shooter disappeared into the crowd of about 100.
Willie lived in Carson with his father and had no gang affiliation.
It is important to mention, detectives say approximately one week prior to the shooting there was a gang-related shooting near the same Lowe’s parking lot. The shooting suspects happened to be driving a light blueish green El Camino. It is believed Willie and his car were mistakenly identified as being involved in that shooting. Despite this taking place a week prior to Pigram's murder, there is no official connection that has been announced.
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
SUSPECT
Investigators say they’re looking for a Black man, 18-20 years old, 5’10”, 160 pounds, medium complexion with a goatee. He was wearing a yellow ‘do-rag’, and a black “Nascar” jacket with yellow patches, a yellow t-shirt, and black shorts.
EPISODE 203 OF UNSOLVED WITH STEVE GREGORY AIRED ON SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH FROM 8 PM - 10 PM ON KFI AM-640.