REGION : Gardena Man Accused of Killing Bicyclist

Murder charges have been filed against a 25-year-old Gardena resident accused of shooting and killing a bicyclist in plain view of two Torrance police officers Sunday afternoon.

The district attorney’s office has charged Paul Wesley Yost with shooting the bicyclist in the throat during an argument at Maple and Carson streets in Torrance.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Jean Bowman said Yost could face 25 years to life in prison. The victim, believed to be in his early 30s, has not been identified, Bowman said.

Yost and his father, Clifford Paul Yost, were stopped at a red light in their truck when the bicyclist passed, Bowman said. The truck was reportedly blocking the crosswalk, and the bicyclist and the Yosts argued.

The bicyclist rode away, but Clifford Yost, 53, opened the truck door and yelled at him, according to witnesses, including two Torrance police officers. The bicyclist turned around and rode up to the passenger side of the truck. As the argument resumed, the younger Yost fired a single shot at the bicyclist, the officers said.