Drive-by Shooting Claims One Victim

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 6, 1999
Rampart Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of a male Hispanic 18 years of age.

On Sunday, July 4, 1999 at approximately 2:45 A.M., Rampart Uniform Officers responded to a shots fired call in the vicinity of Laguna Avenue and Laveta Terrace. The officers did not find a victim at the location, however they were informed friends had transported the victim to a hospital. The victim was located at Los Angeles County USC General Hospital were he had expired due to his wound. Two individuals had been detained by hospital security.

The investigation revealed that on July 4, 1999 at approximately 2:45 A.M., the victim was walking with a friend northbound on Laguna Avenue on the east sidewalk. The victim and friend were almost at the bend on Laguna Avenue that turns eastbound to Laveta Terrace when they observed the suspect’s vehicle driving southbound Laguna Avenue from the bend. The victim and friend recognized the vehicle as belonging to a rival street gang. The vehicle stopped parallel to the victim’s location and the rear passenger exited the vehicle and started firing in the direction of the victim and his friend. The victim and friend started running towards Laveta Terrace when the victim cried out, "I’m hit!" The friend flagged down a passing vehicle and with the aid of the driver took the victim to Los Angeles County USC General Hospital.

The suspect is described only as a male Hispanic at this time.

The homicide investigation is being conducted by Rampart Detectives J. Curiel and T. Murrell. For any information regarding this crime please call 213-485-2504.

For Release 9:25 am PDT
July 6, 1999