17-Year-Old Stabbed and Killed

**UPDATE**

On January 6, 2009, Wilshire Area Homicide Detectives arrested 3 of the 4 suspects involved in the murder of Ysidro Martinez on December 12, 2008.  23-year-old Rico Cruz of Los Angeles, 18-year-old Mario Cruz of Los Angeles, 21-year-old Rolando Garcia of Los Angeles, were all charged with murder and are being held on $1 million dollars bail.

The outstanding suspect, 23-year-old Jaime Aquino, was believed to be the stabber, fled to Mexico after the crime.  Homicide investigators tracked him down in Mexico and requested that he return.  On January 9, 2009, Aquino surrendered himself to Border Patrol Agents in San Ysidro, California, where Homicide Detectives were waiting.  Aquino was arrested for murder and returned to Los Angeles where he is being held without bail.

Los Angeles: Detectives are asking the public’s help in identifying the persons responsible for the murder of 17-year-old boy.

On Friday, December 12, 2008 at about 10:30 p.m., officers from Wilshire Area went to a stabbing call at Venice Boulevard and Manhattan Place where they found one victim down with a stab wound.  The victim was taken to a local hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department where doctors pronounced him dead.  The victim, 17-year-old male Hispanic, a resident of Los Angeles, was confronted by several suspects.  A struggle with the suspects ensued and the victim was later stabbed.  The suspects left the area on foot.

The motive for this altercation and murder is unclear at this time.  Although no arrests have been made, homicide investigators are analyzing evidence and interviewing witnesses at this time.

The victim’s name is being withheld until his family can be notified.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Wilshire homicide detectives at (213) 473-0446.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.