A suspect has been arrested over the murder of an Australian man who was shot dead eight times outside a marijuana store in Los Angeles.
The body of Azuma Bennett, a Bondi-based personal trainer, was found outside the store in Windsor Hills last month, weeks before he was due to return home from a two-and-a-half year stint abroad.
More than a month on from the former Waverley College student’s death, detectives announced they have arrested a man.
“Homicide Investigators worked diligently to identify and apprehend Azuma Bennett’s killer,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
“On September 22, 2022 investigators arrested Gabriel Alvarado, a Hispanic male from the Los Angeles area, for the murder of Azuma Bennett.”
Alvarado will appear before the Airport Courthouse on November 21, 2022.
Bennett’s murder sent shockwaves through Australia and LA alike, prompting a Marvel actor to lash out about LA’s crime problem.
Captain America star Frank Grillo, one of the celebrities Bennett helped train, decried the loss of the 30-year-old.
“He made everybody feel good about training,” Grillo told NBC News.
“I don’t know what’s happened to Los Angeles that a beautiful guy like this gets shot and killed over nothing,” he said.
Windsor Hills is an unincorporated neighbourhood in the middle of Los Angeles.
Shortly after Bennett’s death, his mother Victoria Milton revealed he was the “golden apple” of her late husband’s eye.
“Azuma had a strong character, positively touching the lives of so many – family, friends, colleagues,” Bennett said.
“Plus the youth and children he trained in our Sydney Kung Fu Academy.
“He lived well, and I am so proud of him.”
Friend Tamara Fortune described Bennett as “one of a kind”.
“We lost one of the best ones out there. He did not deserve this,” she said.
“He was kind to all that he met and always engaged everyone in the gym with his positive energy and engaging personality.
“Rest Easy Azuma and keep punching up there. We love you mate.”
