Santa Fe Springs: Leonard Soliz Jr., 35

Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 15, in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs, authorities said.

Soliz and Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, were both shot in the head and pronounced dead in a parking lot about 2:45 a.m., according to coroner's records. 

Two Whittier police officers conducting a traffic stop on Norwalk Boulevard heard gunshots about 2 a.m. and began searching the area, Lt. Carlos Solorza said. They found the victims but did not see a suspect.

The relationship of the man and the woman was not known, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

-- Corina Knoll and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Leonard Soliz and Celeste Jimenez were found shot. Credit: Google Maps

Santa Fe Springs: Celeste Jimenez, 31

Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 15, in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs, authorities said.

Jimenez and Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, were both shot in the head and pronounced dead in a parking lot about 2:45 a.m., according to coroner's records. 

Two Whittier police officers conducting a traffic stop on Norwalk Boulevard heard gunshots about 2 a.m. and began searching the area, Lt. Carlos Solorza said. They found the victims but did not see a suspect.

The relationship of the man and the woman was not known, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

-- Corina Knoll and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Leonard Soliz and Celeste Jimenez were found shot. Credit: Google Maps

Harvard Park: Mulindwa Traylor, 24

Mulindwa Traylor, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the 1500 block of West 55th Street in Harvard Park, authorities said.

Los Angeles Police Det. Carlos Velasquez said Traylor was a documented member of the 55 Neighborhoods gang who was driving about 1:45 a.m. when he thought he saw a friend.

Velasquez said police determined that at that time, Traylor got out of his car and walked up to the man, a male black, and realized he was actually a rival gang member.

The shooter, a documented member of the 107 Hoovers, asked Traylor where he was from and shot him several times, Velasquez said. The man was arrested over the weekend, and Velasquez said he will be charged by Tuesday morning.

Velasquez declined to identify the suspect until charges are filed.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Mulindwa Traylor was shot. Click for the Harvard Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Florence: Jermaine Tillman, 30

Jermaine Tillman, a 30-year-old black man, died after he was taken off life support Thursday, Nov. 12, five days after he was shot while walking out of a market at 701 East Manchester Avenue in Florence, authorities said.

Los Angeles Police Det. Carlos Velasquez said Tillman was shot about 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. The suspect, whom witnesses described as a black man driving a light-colored four-door sedan, has not been identified and is at large, Velasquez said.

Tillman was shot in the neck and taken to the hospital, where he remained on life support until his death. Though Tillman was not a documented gang member, Velasquez said his death being investigated as a gang killing because of the manner and location of the shooting.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Jermaine Tillman was shot. Click for the Florence Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Jefferson Park: Young Lee, 62

Young Lee, a 62-year-old Asian man, was beaten to death  Monday, Nov. 9, in the 3300 block of Jefferson Boulevard in Jefferson Park, authorities said.

Los Angeles Police Det. Robert Lait said Lee, an employee of a liquor store on the block, got into an argument with a man inside the store. The two went outside, where Lee was "repeatedly pummeled … with fists and elbow causing severe blunt head trauma," according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ajani Salim Fisher, a 33-year-old black man, has been arrested and charged with Lee's murder. Lait said that the motive did not appear to be robbery and that Lee apparently did nothing to provoke the attack.

Lait declined to give any specific information about the argument between the two but said they had no prior relationship. The attack happened about 1:45 p.m. and Lee was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m., according to coroner's records.

-- Anthony Pesce 

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Young Lee was beaten. Click for the Jefferson Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Boyle Heights: Ademio Morales, 43

Ademio Morales, a 43-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the 1200 block of LaPuerta Street in Boyle Heights, authorities said.

Los Angeles Police Det. DeWayne Fields said a neighbor heard a gunshot, looked outside and saw Morales running. He ran about the length of two houses and collapsed. Morales was shot about 8:40 p.m. and pronounced dead at 8:48 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Fields said a white car was seen speeding away, but detectives are unsure if the car had anything to do with the shooting. Fields said detectives have no witnesses and no suspects in the killing.

Morales had no gang ties, and detectives do not believe this was a gang killing.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Ademio Morales was shot. Click for the Boyle Heights Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Boyle Heights: Armando Castaneda, 51

Armando Castaneda, a 51-year-old Latino, was shot Tuesday, Nov. 10, at his home in the 2600 block of Michigan Avenue in Boyle Heights, authorities said.

Castaneda had been in a monthlong dispute with his roommate, Albino Pena, a 53-year-old black man, said Los Angeles Police Det. DeWayne Fields. The two had apparently quarreled over privacy issues, and about 8 p.m. on the day of the shooting, Pena allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Castaneda in the back of the head.

Fields said Pena then left town and went to Las Vegas, leaving Castaneda at their residence. Pena returned on Nov. 12 and called 911 to report the crime. He apparently told detectives he turned himself in because he wanted to do the right thing. Coroner's officials listed Nov. 12 as his date of death, although it was unclear how long Castaneda lived after he was shot.

Pena was arrested Nov. 12. Jane Robinson, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, said prosecutors are charging him with one count of murder.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Armando Castaneda was shot. Click for the Boyle Heights Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Mid-Wilshire: Flor Medrano, 30

Flor Medrano, a 30-year-old Latina, was fatally stabbed Thursday, Nov. 12, in the 1300 block of Cochran Avenue in Mid-Wilshire. Medrano had filed a domestic abuse report earlier that day, and she was attacked as Los Angeles Police Department officers waited outside of her apartment.

Her attacker, Daniel Carlon, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by police officers who went to investigate when they heard screams coming from the apartment.

Times' reporters Baxter Holmes, Andrew Blankstein and Rich Connell have the full story: Man eludes police to kill woman

Los Angeles police investigators are trying to piece together how a highly determined attacker eluded officers watching a Mid-City apartment and managed to kill a woman who had just filed a domestic violence complaint.

Wilshire Division officers who specialize in domestic abuse were on the lookout for the man after taking Flor Medrano's report, counseling her and returning her to her Cochran Avenue apartment Wednesday evening.

The officers escorted Medrano, 30, to her door, checked to make sure the apartment appeared safe and then returned to their unmarked patrol car to watch for the suspect, officials said.

The officers later tried to check on Medrano via cellphone and tell her they were leaving but were cut off. When they reestablished contact and heard screaming, the officers rushed to the apartment and saw a man stabbing Medrano.

Unable to gain entry through a metal security door, the officers fired through a front window, fatally wounding the attacker, according to police sources who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation.

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

-- Anthony Pesce

Photo: A woman who said she is Flor Medrano's friend weeps while talking on the phone as police investigate Medrano's death and the police shooting death of the man who killed her. Medrano had filed a domestic abuse report several hours earlier. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Map: The location where Flor Medrano was stabbed. Click for the Mid-Wilshire Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Mid-Wilshire: Daniel Carlon, 23

Daniel Carlon, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by Los Angeles Police Department officers  Thursday, Nov. 12, in the 1300 block of Cochran Avenue in Mid-Wilshire, authorities said.

The shooting took place after officers escorted Flor Medrano, a 30-year-old Latina, home after she filed a domestic abuse report. The officers were waiting outside Medrano's apartment when they heard screams and went to investigate. Carlon had apparently gotten into the apartment through a window and fatally stabbed Medrano before officers shot him, authorities said.

Times' reporters Baxter Holmes, Andrew Blankstein and Rich Connell have the full story: Man eludes police to kill woman

Los Angeles police investigators are trying to piece together how a highly determined attacker eluded officers watching a Mid-City apartment and managed to kill a woman who had just filed a domestic violence complaint.

Wilshire Division officers who specialize in domestic abuse were on the lookout for the man after taking Flor Medrano's report, counseling her and returning her to her Cochran Avenue apartment Wednesday evening.

The officers escorted Medrano, 30, to her door, checked to make sure the apartment appeared safe and then returned to their unmarked patrol car to watch for the suspect, officials said.

The officers later tried to check on Medrano via cellphone and tell her they were leaving but were cut off. When they reestablished contact and heard screaming, the officers rushed to the apartment and saw a man stabbing Medrano.

Unable to gain entry through a metal security door, the officers fired through a front window, fatally wounding the attacker, according to police sources who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation.

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

-- Anthony Pesce

Map: The location where Daniel Carlon was shot. Click for the Mid-Wilshire Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Homicides: Nov. 9 - Nov. 15

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 655. This number does not include a few cases in which specifying the cause of death has been deferred.

Young Lee, a 62-year-old Asian man, on Nov. 9.  Lee died of blunt force trauma in the 3300 block of Jefferson Boulevard in Jefferson Park.

Mulindwa Traylor, a 24-year-old black man, on Nov. 10.  Traylor was shot in the 1500 block of West 55th Street  in Harvard Park.

Ademio Morales, a 43-year-old Latino, on Nov. 11. Morales was shot at an unknown location.

Flor Medrano,  a 30-year-old Latina, on Nov. 12. Medrano was stabbed  in the 1300 block of Cochran Avenue in Mid-Wilshire.

Daniel Carlon, a 23-year-old Latino, on Nov. 12. Carlon was stabbed and shot in the 1300 block of Cochran Avenue in Mid-Wilshire.

Jermaine Tillman, a 30-year-old black man, on Nov. 12. Tillman was shot at an unknown location.  

Armando Castaneda, a 51-year-old Latino, on Nov. 12. Castaneda was shot in the 2600 block of Michigan Avenue in Boyle Heights.

Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, on Nov. 15. Soliz was shot in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs.

Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, on Nov. 15. Jimenez was shot in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs.

Ryan Shackelford died Nov. 14. No additional details were provided by the Coroner.

Times coverage: Funeral held for Melody Ross, 16

The Times' Ruben Vives reports from Saturday's funeral for Melody Ross, a 16-year-old Cambodian American teen who was shot and killed Friday, Oct. 30, in the 4400 block of East 10th Street in Long Beach while leaving her high school's homecoming football game. Tom Love Vinson and Daivion Davis, both 16-year-old black males, have been charged as adults in her slaying, which authorities say was gang-related. From the report:

Melody Ross, the Wilson High School honors student whose shooting death after a Long Beach football game touched off an outpouring of sympathy from around the country, was buried Saturday in Whittier.

A hushed throng of family members, friends and dignitaries gathered at SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary, where her first name was spelled out in a collage of photographs taken over the 16 years of her life.

A slide show was screened above her open wooden casket, set amid wreaths of flowers. Nearby, a Wilson football helmet, a Gatorade bottle and a football sat on marble stands, each bearing signatures of those who knew her.

Looking over the crowd, Melody's uncle, Sam Che, 36, said he was touched by the expressions of love for his niece. He pointed to a photograph of Melody and gently said, "Look at her smile."

Read the complete story: Funeral held for Melody Ross, teenager shot after high school football game

Photo: Chantha Ross, right, puts a rose on the casket of her daughter, Melody. As the three-hour funeral service ended, other mourners also placed roses there. Credit: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

West Hills: Donna Edwards, 66

Donna Edwards, a 66-year-old white woman, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 2, in the 7900 block of McLaren Avenue in West Hills, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Edwards was killed in her home by her husband in a murder suicide. Authorities identified the man found dead at the scene as Craig Edwards, 62.

The couple's bodies were discovered shortly after 10 a.m., Winter said.

Donna Edwards' co-workers had gone to the home after she did not show up for work and did not answer her phone, Los Angeles police said. A neighbor who had a key let them into the residence, where they found Donna Edwards dead in the master bedroom and Craig Edwards' body on the kitchen floor.

Coroner's officials have not yet determined his cause of death.

Detectives found several weapons in the home, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Topanga Area Homicide Detectives Foster Rains or Ammon Williams at 818-756-4820. 

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Donna Edwards was shot. Click for the West Hills Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Highland Park: Eric Acosta, 36

Eric Acosta, a 36-year-old Latino, was stabbed Oct. 31 at North Figueroa Street and Avenue 61 in Highland Park. He died on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at a hospital, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Acosta and another victim were stabbed about 2:29 a.m. on Halloween. The second victim, who was not identified, survived the attack.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Eric Acosta was attacked. Click for the Highland Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Monterey Park: Zhi Hu, 47

Zhi Hu, a 47-year-old Asian man, was shot and killed Friday, Nov. 6, in the 200 block of East Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

The shooting happened after Hu walked into an employment agency and got into an argument with someone, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

That person pulled out a gun at shot Hu in the face, Winter said. The shooter is described in a Sheriff's Department news release as an Asian man.

Hu was shot about 9 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene at 9:31 p.m., Winter said. Sheriff's homicide detectives are assisting Monterey Park police in the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call sheriff's homicide detectives at 323-890-5500.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Zhi Hu was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Florence: Wilhelm Ramclam, 24

Wilhelm Ramclam, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, Nov. 6, in the 700 block of East 73rd Street in Florence, authorities said.

Ramclam was on the curb working on his car about 3:45 p.m. when he was shot, according to an LAPD news release.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Police said they have no suspect or motive in the killing. Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call LAPD Dets. E. Mendoza and C. Braudrick at 213-485-1383.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Wilhelm Ramclam was shot. Click for the Florence Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Angeles National Forest: Lorraine Minjarez, 32

Lorraine Minjarez, a 32-year Latina, was found dead Saturday, Nov. 7, at the 1.34-mile marker on Mt. Baldy Road in the Angeles National Forest, authorities said.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said she was strangled and her neck had been slashed several times. Robert Louis Caballero, 32, of Pomona was arrested Saturday in connection with three killings, including Minjarez's.

Caballero was taken into custody after leading police on a short chase when he refused to pull over for a minor traffic stop. He was detained on suspicion of murder in the Sept. 29 shooting of Armando Vidana, 25, of Pomona. He is also suspected of killing David Arthur Padilla Jr., 29, of El Monte on Saturday morning.

For Times coverage of the killings see: Pomona man arrested in fatal shooting may be linked to two other deaths

-- Richard Winton, Baxter Holmes and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Florence: Julian Nolasco, 25

Julian Nolasco, a 25-year-old Latino, was shot by Los Angeles police Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 59th Street and Avalon Boulevard in Florence and died the next day, authorities said.

According to LAPD Sgt. Frank Banuelos, Nolasco took a car at gunpoint and was being pursued by police when he stopped at the intersection.

Police said Nolasco jumped out of the car and fired at officers. Police officers, who were not injured in the exchange,  returned fire and hit Nolasco, authorities said.

He died shortly before 7 a.m. the next day, according to coroner's records.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Julian Nolasco was shot. Click for the Florence Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Lincoln Heights: Maria Valderrama, 17

Maria Valderrama, a 17-year-old Latina, was shot and killed  Friday, Nov. 6, in the 2400 block of North Daly Street in Lincoln Heights, authorities said.

Valderrama was shot and killed by her 20-year-old boyfriend during a domestic dispute, according to Los Angeles police. The man then turned the gun on himself, police said

The shooting was reported about 8:30 p.m. at an apartment complex. Police officers of LAPD's Hollenbeck Division found Valderrama dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head, said LAPD Officer Gregory Baek.

A short time later, as police searched for the gunman, the 20-year-old man, identified by police as Juan Carlos Mendez, was found in a nearby alley with a gunshot wound to the chest area, Baek said.

"At some point, either at the scene or in the ambulance, he admitted to shooting the girl," Baek said.

Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said Mendez and Valderrama had been dating for two years and were involved in a dispute at the apartment when Mendez allegedly shot her. He then fled and shot himself nearby, Baek said.

-- Ruben Vives

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Maria Valderrama was shot. Click for the Lincoln Heights Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

East Los Angeles: Jessy Acosta, 15

Jessy Acosta, a 15-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Friday, Nov. 6, in the 700 block of McDonnell Avenue in East Los Angeles, authorities said.

The shooting was reported about 11:20 p.m., said Deputy Aura Sierra of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Acosta got into a fight at a party with a man between 17 and 21 years old, authorities said.

The man drew a handgun, shot Acosta in the upper torso and fled, Sierra said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, coroner's officials said.

Sheriff'sinvestigators were interviewing partygoers to obtain information about the gunman. About 75 people were at the party. 

Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Sheriff's Department's homicide squad at (323) 890-5500. Callers can remain anonymous.

-- Ruben Vives

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Jessy Acosta was shot and killed. Credit: Google Maps

El Monte: Hugo Negrete, 17

Hugo Negrete, a 17-year-old Latino, was stabbed to death Saturday, Nov. 7, in the 11000 block of Bonwood Road in El Monte, authorities said.

The death was reported about 3 a.m., said L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck. Negrete, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was stabbed about four times, according to coroner's investigators.

-- Carla Rivera and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Hugo Negrete was found stabbed. Credit: Google Maps

Venice: William McKillian Jr., 19

William McKillian Jr., a 19-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 600 block of Westminster Avenue in Venice, authorities said.

He was confronted by at least one attacker who opened fire about 3:30 p.m. No arrests have been made, the LAPD said.

The Los Angeles Unified School District sent a memo to teachers in Venice, alerting them about the shooting deaths of two former students on Nov. 3 and asking them to watch for any suspicious activity. The memo said McKillian attended Venice High for a short period.

-- Robert J. Lopez reporting from Venice/Santa Monica and Andrew Blankstein in Los Angeles

For Times coverage of the shooting see: 2 young men slain in Westside violence

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where William McKillian Jr. was shot. Click for the Venice Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Lawndale: Juan Aguiar, 29

Juan Aguiar, a 29-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy on Tuesday, Nov. 3, between the 16400 and 16700 blocks of Prairie Avenue in Lawndale, authorities said.

According to sheriff's officials, Aguiar pointed a gun at deputies and shot at them about 10:30 p.m. Deputies returned fire.

Sheriff's officials said they believed more than 30 shots were fired during the incident but stressed that it did not appear to be contagious fire, a phenomenon in which police fire their weapons because others are doing so.

One deputy was injured in the exchange, but was treated and released from the hospital the next morning, authorities said.

-- Baxter Holmes and Andrew Blankstein

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Juan Aguiar was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Dalton Rahman, 18

Dalton Rahman, an 18-year-old white man, was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies on Thursday, Nov. 5, in the 17000 block of Orkney Street in unincorporated Los Angeles County, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m., after a car chase in the unincorporated section of Azusa, a city of about 45,000 east of L.A. in the San Gabriel Valley, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect crashed the car and fled to the backyard of a house on Orkney, according to the statement. A police dog went after the suspect.

When deputies got the suspect to the ground, he grabbed one of the deputies' guns and fired several rounds, according to the statement.

No deputies were injured.

The suspect was shot several times by another deputy and was pronounced dead at the scene.

-- Baxter Holmes

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where deputies shot Dalton Rahman. Credit: Google Maps

Santa Monica: Richard Juarez, 20

Richard Juarez, a 20-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica, authorities said. L.A. Now has the full story: 4 reputed gang members held in Santa Monica slaying


Four reputed gang members were booked on suspicion of murder today in connection with a shooting at a Santa Monica park that left one man dead and prompted police to beef up patrols in the area, authorities said.

The shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday at Virginia Avenue Park, next to a police substation and recreation center where the city's Police Activities League sponsors sports programs to help keep youths out of trouble.

Santa Monica police said they had teamed up with Los Angeles Police Department detectives to determine whether the attack was connected to a deadly shooting several hours earlier in Venice. One of the alleged gang members taken into custody was from Venice, Santa Monica police said.

"Our detectives are working with LAPD detectives to see if there was any commonality between the two shootings," said Sgt. David Hunscke of the Santa Monica Police Department.

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Richard Juarez was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Homicides: Nov. 1 to 9

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 645. This number does not include a few cases in which specifying the cause of death has been deferred.

Donna Edwards, a 66-year-old white woman, on Nov. 2. Edwards was shot in the 7900 block of McLaren Avenue in West Hills.

Gil DeLeon, a 53-year-old Asian man, on Nov. 2. DeLeon was stabbed in the 1200 block of South Union Ave. in Pico-Union.

Eric Acosta, a 36-year-old Latino, on Nov. 3. Acosta was stabbed at North Figueroa Street and Avenue 61 in Highland Park.

Nolberto Gutierrez, a 57-year-old Latino, on Nov. 3. Gutierrez was found in the 1700 block of Cherokee Avenue in Hollywood.

William McKillian Jr., a 19-year-old black man, on Nov. 3. McKillian was shot in the 600 block of Westminster Avenue in Venice.

Richard Juarez, a 20-year-old Latino, on Nov. 3. Juarez was shot in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica.

Juan Aguiar, a 29-year-old Latino, on Nov. 3. Aguiar was shot somewhere between the 16400 and 16700 blocks of Prairie Avenue in Lawndale.

Julian Nolasco, a 25-year-old Latino, on Nov. 4. Nolasco was shot at 59th Street and Avalon Boulevard in Florence.

Dalton Rahman, an 18-year-old white man, on Nov. 5. Rahman was shot in the 17000 block of Orkney Street in unincorporated Los Angeles.

Zhi Hu, a 47-year-old Asian man, on Nov. 6. Hu was shot in the 200 block of East Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park.

Wilhelm Ramclam, a 24-year-old black man, on Nov. 6. Ramclam was shot in the 700 block of East 73rd Street in Florence.

Maria Valderrama, a 17-year-old Latina, on Nov. 6. Valderrama was shot in the 2400 block of North Daly Street in Lincoln Heights.

Jessy Acosta, a 15-year-old Latino, on Nov. 6. Acosta was shot in the 700 block of McDonnell Avenue in East Los Angeles.

Lorraine Minjarez, a 32-year Latina, on Nov. 7. Minjarez was strangled at an unknown location.

Hugo Negrete, a 17-year-old Latino, on Nov. 7. Negrete was stabbed in the 11000 block of Bonwood Road in El Monte.

The charred body of Jane Doe, a white female, was found on Nov. 7.  No other details were provided by the coroner.

Two teenagers charged as adults in slaying of Melody Ross, 16

Tom Love Vinson and Daivion Davis, both 16-year-old black males, were charged Friday as adults in the killing of Melody Ross, a 16-year-old Cambodian American teen. 

Ross, an honors student at Wilson High in Long Beach, was leaving her school's homecoming game on the night of Friday, Oct. 30, when she was struck by gunfire. Two men -- an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old -- were wounded in the shooting.

Vinson and Davis have been identified by Los Angeles County prosecutors as gang members.

Read more: L.A. Now: DA: 'Seriousness of crime' justified charging teens as adults in killing of Long Beach honors student

View the Long Beach Press-Telegram's coverage of the DA's news conference.

-- Megan Garvey

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Photo: Tom Love Vinson and Daivion Davis. Credit: KTLA, courtesy of Press-Telegram

16-year-old suspect named in killing of Robert Rodriguez, 14

Los Angeles police issued a murder warrant Thursday for the arrest of a teenage suspect in the killing of Robert Rodriguez, a 14-year-old Latino boy.

LAPD Det. Marc Matinez said Ignacio Araujo, a 16-year old Latino, is accused of killing Rodriguez in front of an apartment building in the 15400 block of Vanowen Street in Van Nuys on Oct. 23.

Rodriguez was shot about 3:50 p.m. when he was allegedly approached by Araujo. According to Martinez, Araujo asked Rodriguez where he was from, a common question used to determine gang identity, then shot him once in the head.

Martinez said Rodriguez was not a documented gang member and had no prior criminal history.

Araujo, who police say is a known member of the Mara Salvatrucha gang who goes by the nickname "Tiny," is being charged as an adult with Rodriguez's murder and is still at large. He is 5-foot-2 and weighs 120 pounds, according to a police flier.

In addition to Rodriguez's slaying, Araujo has been charged with the attempted murder of two other males and faces an additional count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, according to the complaint filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors.

Martinez said there was no dispute that led up to the shootings, but he would not discuss what specifically happened that afternoon.

Anyone with information about Araujo's whereabouts is asked to call LAPD Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-0040.

-- Anthony Pesce

Photo: Ignacio Araujo, 16, the suspect in the killing of Robert Rodriguez, 14. Credit: LAPD

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Lancaster: Arthur Hicks, 34

Arthur Hicks, a 34-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 1, in the 1600 block of Renee Street in Lancaster, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Hicks was involved in a fight with several men when someone pulled out a gun and opened fire.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Arthur Hicks was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Highland Park: Javier Mejia, 43

Javier Mejia, a 43-year-old Latino, was stabbed to death Saturday, Oct. 31, in the 100 block of East Avenue 45 in Highland Park, authorities said.

Mejia and Salvador Ayala, a 26-year-old Latino, were drinking with a third person when they got into a dispute. 

The third person stabbed both men, said LAPD Det. Jose Carrillo. Authorities did not identify the assailant, who they said was still at large.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Javier Mejia was stabbed. Click for the Highland Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Highland Park: Salvador Ayala, 26

Salvador Ayala, a 26-year-old Latino, was stabbed to death Saturday, Oct. 31, in the 100 block of East Avenue 45 in Highland Park, authorities said.

Ayala and Javier Mejia, a 43-year-old Latino, were drinking with a third person when they got into a dispute. The third person stabbed both men, said LAPD Det. Jose Carrillo. 

Authorities did not identify the assailant, who they said was still at large. 

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Salvador Ayala was stabbed. Click for the Highland Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.