Ice Cream Vender Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: On Saturday, August 27, 2005, at 1:00 PM, Newton Area patrol officers responded to a shooting call in the 200 block of East 56th Street.  Upon their arrival they found a Hispanic man down on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound.
Police investigation revealed the victim, 63 year of age, was a sidewalk ice cream vender (Paleta Cart) and was selling at the southwest corner of 56th Street at San Pedro Street.  A car, 4-door, silver or light blue, possible Ford Tempo, pulled up beside the victim.  Two suspects, one male and one female exited the car and demanded ice cream from the victim.  When the victim refused, the male suspect armed himself with a handgun and shot the victim.  The two suspects returned to their car and fled southbound on San Pedro Street.
The gunman was described as a male Black in his early 20’s and the female suspect was a female Black, 15-17 years of age.
The victim was taken to a local hospital where he died a short time later.  The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification to his family.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Newton Area Detectives at 213-846-6547.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).