Local News in Brief : Argument Over Watch Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Jailed

One man died Monday and another was under arrest on suspicion of murder after an argument in Pacoima over a wristwatch, Los Angeles police said.

Victor M. Richardson, 26, of Pacoima died at 4 a.m. at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills about eight hours after he was shot in his midsection by acquaintance Lester E. James, 26, also of Pacoima, Detective Al Ferrand said.

After the 8:10 p.m. shooting at Pierce Park Apartments in the 12700 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, James fled the scene but later surrendered to police at the Southwest Division police station, Ferrand said. James was transferred to the Foothill Division station jail where he was being held without bail on suspicion of murder, police said.

Ferrand said the argument between the two men, who had known each other for several years, began after James met Richardson in the parking lot to return money he had borrowed. Once the money was paid, James demanded that a wristwatch--given Richardson as collateral for the loan--be returned, Ferrand said. But Richardson did not have the watch, an argument ensued and James shot Richardson several times, Ferrand said.