Victim Killed After Parking His Vehicle NR12399rh

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department West Bureau homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed 26-year-old Mario Castro.

On Aug. 23, 2012, around 4:40 p.m., Olympic Area officers responded to an assault-related shooting call in the 1800 block of South Ardmore Avenue.  When officers arrived, they found Castro lying on the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel were summoned and took him to a local hospital where he died a short time later from his injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Castro had just parked and exited his vehicle when a white SUV drove by northbound on Ardmore Avenue from Washington Boulevard stopped in the roadway next to him. There were four or five Hispanic males inside the SUV, and words were exchanged between Castro and the suspects.  Multiple gunshots were then fired from the suspects’ vehicle, striking the victim multiple times, after which the suspects continued heading north on Ardmore Avenue.

It is believed that the incident is gang related. There are no suspect(s) descriptions and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact West Bureau Homicide Detective J. Freund at 213-382-9470.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”