LOS ANGELES - Homicides in Los Angeles were down 24 percent during the first five months of 2007 when compared to the same period last year, police Chief William Bratton announced today.

The number of reported homicides as of May 26 stood at 148, down from 196 during the first five months of 2006, Bratton told reporters gathered at the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street station.

"That's 48 fewer murder victims, 48 fewer families victimized and 48 fewer young men going to jail for 20 to 25 years for that crime," Bratton said. "We are actually saving two lives - the victim, and hopefully, keeping another young person from committing a murder."

Of the 148 homicides reported so far this year, 78 have been gang- related, Bratton said. That's a 32 percent decrease from the 117 gang-related homicides reported during the first five months of 2006, he said.

Bratton, who was flanked by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, attributed the decline to the mayor's anti-gang suppression plan, which was unveiled last February.

"While these early numbers show we're making a great deal of progress, we still have a lot of work to do," Villaraigosa said. "Each and every homicide in the city is one too many."

Additionally, Bratton and Villaraigosa reminded the public of rewards offered in hopes of solving three separate shooting deaths in South Los Angeles, where homicides were down by 17 percent in the first part of the year.

There were 58 homicides reported in the LAPD's South Bureau during the first five months of 2007, down from 70 reported in the same period last year, according to Bratton.

Yesterday, the City Council offered a $50,000 reward in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old man earlier this month.

Bryant Alexander Tennelle was walking with friends in the 1800 block of West 80th Street when someone walked up and fired several shots around 6:20 p.m. on May 11.

Tennelle, who was shot in the head, died at the scene. The gunman drove away in a black SUV, witnesses told police. He was the son of a detective on the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Unit.

A $75,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the drive-by shooting death of a toddler on March 26.

Qristyonn Augustin was in the back seat of her mother's car when someone in another vehicle pulled up and fired about 10 shots in the 900 block of 84th Street.

Police described the gunman as 18 to 20 years old, wearing a baseball cap and a dark hooded sweatshirt. The car was a tan or brown 1994 to 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass 88, with tinted windows and chrome rims.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the gunman who fatally shot 23-year-old Ashley Cheval on Aug. 25, 2006.

Cheval was sitting in a parked car with three friends when a gold- colored Ford Crown Victoria passed by and at least two occupants opened fire with a rifle and handgun.

Anyone with information about any of the shootings was urged to call police at (877) LAWFULL.