Man on Bicycle Killed by Gunfire

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department homicide detectives are seeking the public’s help for their investigation concerning a 24-year-old man who was murdered while sitting on a bicycle at around 12:45 a.m. on April 15, 2008.

The victim, Vidal Jose Ventura-Jimenez, was sitting on a bicycle in the street at 4506 Slauson Ave. when a car, possibly a large, black, four-door sport utility vehicle, drove up to his location. Though unconfirmed at this time, there may have been up to four male suspects in the vehicle. After one of the suspects fired several shots at the victim, striking him in the upper torso, the suspects’ vehicle immediately headed north on Slauson Avenue toward Culver Boulevard.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wounds. He was not a known gang member, but gang retaliation has not been ruled out as a motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Pacific Area detective desk or homicide division at 310-482-6313 or 310-482-6370, respectively. After-hours and weekend calls may be directed to a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).