Lonny West was a low-level drug dealer. He was killed by a bullet to the brain by drive by Jason Taselli causing his car to crash. He crashed near a group of establishments including Colonial Van and Storage, Deanna's Flowers and Cindy's Donuts. His murder was investigated by Sonny Bonds who contacted the station. Sergeant John Dooley and Detective Oscar Hamilton took over from there. Hamilton identified the victim and noted that he was the second small-timer to be shot in the last two weeks.