Los Angeles, California — In a brazen act of violence at a busy dining area near Crypto.com Arena, a gunman executed a prominent academic in front of patrons and restaurant staff on November 28, 2023. The chilling incident unfolded at Fixins Soul Kitchen, where Sidney Barrett Morris was shot in the head while enjoying dinner, shocking onlookers in the vibrant L.A. Live complex.
Details of the shooting emerged at a recent court hearing where detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detailed their investigative efforts. The harrowing account showed that the attack had been meticulously planned, with initial investigations pointing to a calculated execution involving two alleged gang members. These two suspects, previously convicted of violent crimes, are now in custody as they await further legal proceedings.
Detectives used a combination of surveillance footage, license plate records, and cellphone data to connect the attackers to the crime. However, the motive for Morris’s murder remains elusive. Morris, 43, held a significant position at California State University, Northridge, where he dealt with matters of equity and compliance. Just weeks before his death, he was reportedly investigating allegations of sexual misconduct among the university’s basketball players.
In a search for answers, authorities obtained a warrant to access Morris’s email accounts, which revealed no direct threats or indications that his work was a factor in his demise. Colleagues expressed concerns that the investigation into the basketball program could have played a role, but detectives found no conclusive evidence linking his professional duties to the crime.
One of the alleged suspects, identified as Santana Jermaine Kelly, had a history of gang affiliation and served time for several offenses before his release in 2019. Police located a rental vehicle linked to the shooting two days later, abandoned and burned in Palmdale, complicating evidence collection efforts. Detectives noted that the crime was carried out in a location heavily monitored by cameras, making the act even more audacious.
The second suspect, Phillip Pasco Clark, has denied any involvement, claiming in a recorded phone call from jail that he had never harmed anyone. Video evidence showed Clark and another individual near the scene of the crime wearing outfits similar to the shooter’s. According to testimony, Clark had pulled down his balaclava shortly after the shooting while in a different location.
Detectives also discovered footage from Kelly’s phone that suggested prior surveillance of Morris, indicating that the plan had been in motion for some time. Throughout the investigations, both suspects have maintained their innocence, while the identity of the getaway driver remains unknown.
The absence of a clear motive has frustrated both law enforcement and the victim’s family. Morris had faced financial difficulties in the past, including filing for bankruptcy; however, his situation appeared to have improved significantly by the time of his death. His salary, which had reached $185,000, along with the opening of his restaurant, indicated a stable and successful career.
As the preliminary hearing for both men continues, prosecutors and investigators remain committed to uncovering the truth behind this shocking crime. A spokesperson for CSUN stated that the university is cooperating fully with law enforcement to support the investigation, hoping to bring clarity to a case that leaves many questions unanswered.