Murdered man may have been trying to stop dispute

Friday, March 27, 1998 | 1:32 a.m.

Two men fled the scene at 2036 Hassell Ave. moments after John Anton Cotton was shot several times in the chest, said police Lt. Mike Blackwell.

They left in a white panel van, police said.

Blackwell said one of the suspects police are looking for has been identified, but no arrests had been made before noon Friday.

The shooting took place at about 10:30 p.m.

When police arrived at the scene they found Cotton still alive in the back yard.

The victim was transported to University Medical Center, where he died during surgery.

"We are theorizing it was the result of a family disturbance," Blackwell said. "The victim may have tried to intercede in a family fight."

Prior to the incident, Blackwell said, Cotton was seen with a group of people in front of the house drinking.

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