Azuma Bennett: Accused gunman was security guard at LA marijuana store where Aussie died

Fresh details have emerged revealing a connection between Sydney man Azuma Bennett and the man accused of shooting him dead in Los Angeles.

Exclusive: The man charged over the alleged murder of personal trainer Azuma Bennett was working as a security guard at the Los Angeles marijuana store where the Australian was gunned down.

Mr Bennett, a personal trainer and boxing instructor from Sydney, suffered three gunshot wounds outside the “3854” marijuana dispensary on August 12.

Gabriel Alvarado, 24, was arrested and charged on September 22. News Corp can now reveal he was employed by the marijuana store, according to police sources.

The felony complaint, filed by LA County District Attorney George Gascón, alleges Alvarado “took advantage of a position of trust and confidence” when he committed the alleged offence.

While a motive for the alleged murder has not been revealed, the connection between the suspect and the site of the Mr Bennett’s death adds a new dimension to the shooting in the LA suburb of Windsor Hills.

The “3854” marijuana dispensary in LA, where Azuma Bennett was shot and killed in front of. Picture: MEGA

The felony complaint alleged Alvarado was armed with and used a handgun to fire the shots that killed the Sydney man, an act that allegedly “involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, and callousness”.

Mr Bennett had lived in Los Angeles for years and was working at the gym of Australian former heavyweight pro boxer Justin Fortune.

He had been training stars including Hollywood actor Frank Grillo, Aussie singer Eddie Benjamin, and UFC fighter Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller at Fortune Gym, although he had been planning to return to Australia soon.

Azuma Bennett, right, was a personal trainer and boxing instructor who had been working in LA for years. Picture: Facebook

Alvarado – who is listed as being 180cm tall and 122kg – is being held at LA’s North County Correctional Facility after bail was set at $4.6m.

He is due to appear at the LA Superior Court’s Airport Courthouse on November 21.

Azuma Bennett with his mother Victoria Milton and father Randy Bennett. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bennett’s mother Victoria Milton this week praised the work of the American investigators to lay charges in the case, saying they had “tirelessly and diligently pursued all avenues and leads”.

“It gave me some small comfort that justice had been enacted as I held Azuma’s private Sydney memorial last Friday … knowing arrests had been made,” she said.

“It has been a deeply emotional and difficult time grieving the loss of my only child while waiting in suspense for his (alleged) murderer to be arrested.”

“However, I have had complete faith in the integrity of the investigation.”

Ms Milton said in a statement there had been “misleading talk” and “false reports” her son was shot up to eight times, which had been “deeply painful for me and our family”.

“I have known all along this was not true,” she said.