Tustin High football standout fatally shot in Compton over his hat

Police were called to the 14000 block of South Stanford Avenue in Compton just before 10 p.m. after hearing gunshots. The victim, identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office as 19-year-old William Leapart, a Tustin High football star, was discovered dead at the scene, his white sedan having crashed head-on into a utility pole. According to Curtis “Spider Loc” Williams, who coached Leapart and knows his family, the shooting stemmed from an attempt to steal the hat Leapart was wearing.

Friends and relatives highlighted his 3.4 GPA, quiet demeanor and aspirations to play for black colleges. A tribute posted by the Tillers’ Instagram account praised his character and expressed condolences to his family. Investigators have sealed off the vehicle and are searching for evidence, but have not yet disclosed any suspect details. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department remains in charge of the ongoing investigation.