Man Wounded in Gang Peacemaker's Death Is Charged

One of two men wounded in a shootout that left gang peacemaker Tony Thomas dead last week has been charged as a suspect in the killing, police said Tuesday.

Rodney Compton, 20, was arrested outside St. Francis Hospital on Saturday, the day after Thomas' death, and booked on suspicion of murder. Compton had returned to the hospital for treatment of a wound sustained in the shootout, which allegedly erupted after Thomas confronted some suspected drug dealers in the Imperial Courts housing project in Watts.

Lt. Sergio Robleto, commander of the LAPD's South Bureau homicide detail, said officers went to the hospital Saturday to question Compton for a second time. Compton had been questioned Friday as a victim in the shooting incident.

Robleto said police do not have a motive in the slaying of Thomas, who helped orchestrate the Watts truce between Crips and Bloods.