Please visit the Homicide Report at its new location

On Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, The Times launched a new version of the Homicide Report. You have arrived at the old blog.

Readers can no longer post new comments on this site, but we encourage you to join the conversation on our new site. The updated Homicide Report features an interactive map and searchable database of the more than 2,600 homicides in L.A. County since January 2007, when Times' reporter Jill Leovy first started this blog with the goal of covering each one.

Comments prior to Jan. 26 will, at least for now, remain archived here, with links provided in the new database.

If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail homicidereport@latimes.com, and we will do our best to respond.

-- Megan Garvey and Anthony Pesce

Database and interactive map coming soon

The Homicide Report will be going on a brief hiatus as we prepare to launch a new version next week. We will stop posting updates here while we transition to the new system, but readers can still find breaking news about homicides at the L.A. Now blog.

The Homicide Report soon will feature an interactive map, a searchable database and a blog that looks and feels like the one we have now. The map and database will feature every homicide reported by the Los Angeles County coroner since January 2007. Readers will be able to sort the killings by neighborhood, cause of death, race/ethnicity, age, gender, day of the week and more.

The map will allow readers to interactively search all Los Angeles County homicides over the last three years and observe certain trends and clusters in a way that was not possible with the old blog. Readers will also be able to browse photos of the deceased or enter an address and find nearby killings.

Much of the functionality of the new map and database will be similar to the Times' Mapping L.A. Neighborhoods project, which we frequently link to from posts. Frequent readers and commenters on the Homicide Report should be aware that old comments on blog posts will only be accessible by clicking on a link from the new post. All of the old comments and discussions have been preserved, but new comments will only be possible in the new system.

As always, reader questions and input are welcome. If you have a question or feedback please post it as a comment to this post and we will do our best to respond.

-- Anthony Pesce and Megan Garvey

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Photos:

Top: A screenshot of the new Homicide Report interactive map. Click to enlarge.

Center: A screenshot of the new Homicide Report photo browser. Click to enlarge.

Bottom: A screenshot of the new Homicide Report neighborhood view. Click to enlarge.

L.A. County homicides: Jan. 4-11

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 22. This number does not include a few cases in which the cause of death has been deferred.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials have listed the following deaths between Jan. 4 and 11 as homicides:

Hideko Oyama, a 74-year-old Asian woman, on Jan. 5.  Oyama was stabbed in the 400 block of East 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Philip Chau, a 21-year-old Asian man, on Jan. 6. Chau was shot in the 2600 block of Earle Avenue in Rosemead.

Jesus Cruz, 36, on Jan. 6.  Cruz, who was identified by the coroner as a white man, died of blunt force in the 1000 block of North Western Avenue in East Hollywood.

Charles Cheatham, a 31-year-old black man, on Jan. 7.  Cheatham was shot at Slater Avenue and 110th Street in Watts.

Jesse Valencia, a 6-year-old Latino, on Jan. 8.  Valencia was shot in the 400 block of South Azusa Avenue in Azusa.

Felix Sandoval, a 7-year-old Latino, on Jan. 8. Sandoval was stabbed in the 500 block of East Pleasant Street in Long Beach.

Jesus Cruz-Gonsalez, a 19-year-old Latino, on Jan. 9. Cruz-Gonsalez was shot in the 1400 block of North Chestnut Avenue in Long Beach.

Grecia Del Real, a 21-year-old Latina, on Jan. 9. Del Real was shot in the 3300 block of East Olympic Boulevard in Boyle Heights.

Danielle Hagberry, a 22-year-old white woman, on Jan. 10.  Hagberry was shot in the 300 block of 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach.

Koreatown: Bennett Bradley, 60 [Updated]

Bennett Bradley, a 60-year-old black man, was stabbed and died Saturday, Jan. 2, in the 100 block of South New Hampshire Avenue in Koreatown, authorities said.

Bradley's body was found about 5:50 p.m. in his apartment, police said. Detectives believe robbery is a possible motive for the crime but do not have a suspect, according to an LAPD news release. 

According to coroner's records, Bradley's cause of death was a deep slash to the neck, and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:01 p.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call Olympic Division homicide Dets. Herman Fretlohr or Matthew Gares at (213) 382-9470.

-- Scott Glover and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Bennett Bradley was stabbed. Click for the Koreatown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

[Updated on Jan. 6 at 10:20 a.m.] The L.A. Now blog has more on this killing: Murder suspect had relationship with slain director of East Hollywood theater

A man who police said had a romantic relationship with a longtime director of an East Hollywood theater has been arrested in connection with his murder, Los Angeles police officials said today.

Jose Fructuoso, 25, of Los Angeles is being held in lieu of $1-million bail in connection with the fatal stabbing Saturday of 60-year-old Bennett Bradley (Police originally gave Bradley's age as 59) at his Mid-Wilshire-area apartment, according to Los Angeles police.

Detectives initially believed that Bradley had been the target of a robbery but after further investigation they found that the suspect and victim had known each other for years and had been in a romantic relationship.

Bradley had worked at Fountain Theatre for 16 years and had become its public face, largely managing its box-office operations but also known as a talented director and producer.

The theater is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and Bradley was directing 2010's first production, "The Ballad of Emmett Till," which is scheduled to open next month.

The show is based on the real-life story of a black teenager whose murder helped spark the civil rights movement. It was seen as an important production for the theater and for Bradley.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Palmdale: Eugene Harrington Jr., 23

Eugene Harrington Jr., a 23-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the 37400 block of Kimberly Lane in Palmdale, authorities said.

Harrington was with his younger brother and another person about 9:10 p.m. when he got into an argument with the person, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The person pulled out a shotgun and shot Harrington once in the head, according to coroner's records.

Harrington was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m., according to coroner's records. His younger brother was not injured in the incident.

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call the Sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Eugene Harrington Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps

South El Monte: Gerardo Corral Jr., 27

Gerardo Corral Jr., a 27-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Friday, Jan. 1, in the 10700 block of Klingerman Street in South El Monte, authorities said.

According to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release, Corral was standing in the street about 1:45 a.m. when two Latinos in a dark-colored car drove up to him. Corral and the men "exchanged words" then at least one of them shot him in the chest and abdomen, according to the news release and coroner's records.

Corral was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:25 a.m.

Anyone with information about this killing 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 Gerardo Corral Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Vermont Square: Larry Woods, 50

Larry Woods, a 50-year-old black man, died Saturday, Dec. 26, more than four hours after he was hit by a stray bullet while eating Christmas dinner at his family's apartment in the 800 block of West 43rd Street in Vermont Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Woods was inside his family's apartment when someone outside opened fire at a group of people about 7:50 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

One of the bullets came into Woods' apartment and struck him. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead early the next day, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Larry Woods was shot. Click for the Vermont Square Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

West Adams: Elmer Rodriguez, 25

Elmer Rodriguez, a 25-year-old Latino, was stabbed and died Friday, Dec. 25, in the 5400 block of Blackwelder Street in West Adams, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Rodriguez was attending a backyard Christmas party when a fight broke out. Rodriguez attempted to intervene in the fight, and someone stabbed him several times, Winter said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:10 a.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Elmer Rodriguez was shot. Click for the West Adams Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Watts: Kevin Shallowhorn, 25

Kevin Shallowhorn, a 25-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Dec. 22, in the 1600 block of East 110th Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Shallowhorn was standing in a driveway talking on his cellphone when a gunman drove up, got out of his car and shot him twice with a shotgun.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:05 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Kevin Shallowhorn was shot. Click for the Watts Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Compton: Hiram Taylor, 57

Hiram Taylor, a 57-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 156th Street and Central Avenue in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Taylor worked at a Christmas tree lot at the location and got into an argument with a customer. The person apparently left and returned with several other people, then shot Taylor three times.

The shooting happened at 2:35 p.m. and Taylor was pronounced dead at 3:53 p.m., Winter said. Winter said police had one person in custody in connection with Taylor's death.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Hiram Taylor was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Whittier: Crystal Coronel, 19

Crystal Coronel, a 19-year-old Latina, was stabbed several times and died Monday, Dec. 21, in the 8200 block of Santa Fe Springs Road in Whittier, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Coronel was discovered unresponsive by her apartment manager, who called police. She had been stabbed several times in her back, face and stomach, according to coroner's records.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Crystal Coronel was found dead. Credit: Google Maps

Vermont Square: Loren Arterberry, 36

Loren Arterberry, a 36-year-old black man, was shot and killed Monday, Dec 21, at Western and Vernon avenues in Vermont Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Arterberry, of Alhambra, was riding a bicycle when someone walked up and shot him, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. Winter said the assailant then fled on foot.

Arterberry was shot about 7:40 p.m. and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:10 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Loren Arterberry was shot. Click for the Vermont Square Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Pico Rivera: Joel Lamas, 27

Joel Lamas, a 27-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Friday, Jan. 1, in the 7600 block of Keltonview Drive in Pico Rivera, authorities said.

Lamas was shot in a front yard shortly before 2 a.m., according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release. Neighbors apparently heard the gunshots but told detectives they sounded like firecrackers. One neighbor went outside and found Lamas lying in the yard, authorities said.

Lamas was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:14 a.m. No other information was immediately available.

Anyone with information about his killing 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 Joel Lamas was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Pacoima: Antonio Carlos Jr., 34

Antonio Carlos Jr., a 34-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Friday, Jan 1, at Haddon Avenue and Pierce Street in Pacoima, authorities said.

Police responded to a call about a shooting and found Carlos, of Pacoima, on the sidewalk with several gunshot wounds, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.

Carlos was shot about 6:45 a.m. and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:15 a.m., according to coroner's records.

Police had no motive for the killing and no information on suspects.

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call LAPD Foothill Division detectives at (818) 834-3115.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Antonio Carlos Jr. was shot. Click for the Pacoima Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Vermont-Slauson: Juan Ola, 26

Juan Ola, a 26-year-old Latino, was stabbed and died Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the 5900 block of South Vermont Avenue in Vermont-Slauson, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ola was stabbed about 2 a.m. in a restaurant parking lot after allegedly arguing with Aurelio Ramirez, a 55-year-old Latino, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release. 

Police allege Ramirez stabbed Ola with a sharp object several times in the chest, then fled the scene. Ola was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:26 a.m., according to coroner's records.

Ramirez was arrested at 3:50 p.m. that day and booked on suspicion of murder. His bail is set at $1 million, according to police.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Juan Ola was stabbed. Click for the Vermont-Slauson Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Homicides: Jan. 1 - Jan. 5 [UPDATED]

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 13. This number does not include a few cases in which the cause of death has been deferred.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials have listed the following deaths between Jan. 1 and Jan. 5 as homicides:

Joel Lamas, a 27-year-old Latino, on Jan. 1. Lamas was shot in the 7600 block of Keltonview Drive in Pico Rivera.

Gerardo Corral Jr., a 27-year-old Latino, on Jan. 1. Corral was shot in the 10700 block of Klingerman Street in South El Monte.

Paula Torres, a 44-year-old Latina, on Jan. 1. Torres died from possible asphyxiation in the 1600 block of East 108th Street in Watts.

Carlos Lopez, a 31-year-old Latino, on Jan. 1. Lopez was stabbed in the 2600 block of East Alondra in Carson.

Gregory Hegwood, a 26-year-old black man, on Jan. 1. Hegwood was shot in the 13800 block of Normandie Avenue in Gardena.

Juvenal Lopez, a 49-year-old Latino, on Jan 1. Lopez was stabbed in the 15900 block of Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys.

Michael Espana, a 22-year-old Latino, on Jan. 1. Espana was stabbed in the 13600 block of Hutchcroft Street in unincorporated Los Angeles.

Antonio Carlos Jr., a 34-year-old Latino, on Jan 1. Carlos was shot at Haddon Avenue and Pierce Street in Pacoima.

Luis Gomez, a 39-year-old Latino, on Jan. 2. Gomez was shot in the 1600 block of North Mona Boulevard in Compton.

Bennett Bradley, a 60-year-old black man, on Jan. 2. Bradley's neck was slashed in the 100 block of South New Hampshire Avenue in Koreatown.

Diamond Johnson, a 27-year-old black man, on Jan. 3. No additional information was provided by the coroner.

Updated Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m.: Kristian Rodriguez, a 20-year-old Latino, on Jan. 4.  Rodriguez was shot in the 900 block of North Serrano Avenue in East Hollywood.  The coroner originally reported that Rodriguez died in the 1900 block of North Serrano Avenue in Los Feliz.

Updated Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m.: Julio Olivares, a 34-year-old Latino, on Jan. 4. Olivares was shot in the 900 block of East 85th Street in Florence. The coroner originally reported only Olivares' death and age.

Homicides: Dec. 28 - Dec. 31

In 2009, the number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 742. This number does not include a few cases in which the cause of death has been deferred.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials have listed the following deaths between Dec. 28 and Dec. 31 as homicides:

Sergio Lopez, an 18-year-old Latino, on Dec. 28. Lopez was shot in the 1100 block of East 78th Street in unincorporated Los Angeles.

James Cody, a 44-year-old black man, on Dec. 28. Cody was stabbed at Edgemont Street and Hollywood Boulevard in Los Feliz.

Lamont Crayon, a 27-year-old black man, on Dec. 29. Crayon was shot at 42nd Street and McKinley Avenue in South-Central.

Karim Alexander, a 19-year-old black man, on Dec. 29.  Alexander was shot in the 1400 block of East 49th Street in Central-Alameda.

Juan Ola, a 26-year-old Latino, on Dec. 30. Ola was stabbed in the 5900 block of South Vermont Avenue in Vermont-Slauson.

Eugene Harrington Jr., a 23-year-old black man, on Dec. 30. Harrington was shot in the 37400 block of Kimberly Lane in Palmdale.

Rodrigo Arias, an 18-year-old Latino, on Dec. 31. Arias was shot in the 200 block of East 69th Street in Florence.

Reseda: Doris Salguero Guardado, 24

Doris Salguero Guardado, a 24-year-old Latina, was found dead in her car Monday, Dec. 21, in the 19400 block of Wyandotte Street in Reseda, authorities said.

Salguero's ex-boyfriend has been arrested on suspicion of her murder, police said.

She was reported missing by her family and friends, police said, and was found dead in her car after friends and relatives searched the area. The victim’s brother went to her apartment to check on her the afternoon of Dec. 21, and after he left about 1:20 p.m., he spotted her blue 1998 Toyota nearby. He found her body in the back seat, covered with blood.

Authorities originally reported she was discovered in the 19500 block of Leadwell Street, but coroner's records indicate she was discovered about a block from that address on Wyandotte Street.

She had been stabbed to death and was covered with a jacket, perhaps to conceal the body, police said.

After talking to several people, detectives went to a home in the 1000 block of Dacotah Street in East Los Angeles to speak with the victim’s ex-boyfriend, Fredy Hernandez. Investigators say Hernandez had been at a holiday party the previous Saturday evening that was also attended by Salguero.

After detectives interviewed Hernandez, they booked him on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $1 million.

Salguero was last seen Sunday at a holiday party in Carson for Amway, a company for which she worked part-time.

-- Richard Winton

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Doris Salguero Guardado was found dead. Click for the Reseda Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Valley Glen: Jose Landaverde, 24

Jose Landaverde, a 24-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 26, in the 13100 block of Vanowen Street in Valley Glen, authorities said.

Landaverde was killed, and three others wounded, in a gang-related shooting in an apartment courtyard, Los Angeles police said.

The victims, all Latino males, were attacked by a single gunman about 7:05 p.m. The gunman fled.

Landaverde was shot in the chest and died later at a hospital. Another man was shot in the stomach and was hospitalized in critical condition. The two other victims were wounded in the leg and hand, police said.

-- Mike Anton

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Jose Landaverde was shot. Click for the Valley Glen Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Paul Moore, 18

Paul Moore, an 18-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, Dec. 25, in the 9300 block of South Vermont Avenue in unincorporated Los Angeles County, authorities said.

Moore was killed during a Christmas night shooting rampage in the unincorporated Athens area of southern Los Angeles County that left several people injured, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Homicide detectives were trying to determine whether the shootings were related because they occurred less than half a mile apart and within several minutes.

The attack that left Moore dead was the most serious, occurring about 9:15 p.m. Arriving deputies found three males with gunshot wounds. They were taken to hospitals, where Moore was pronounced dead at 11:34 p.m.

Another shooting was reported in the 1200 block of West 98th Street, where a male was wounded. Minutes later, another was reported near 102nd Street and Normandie Avenue, where another male was found with gunshot wounds. The status of those two victims was not known. 

Detectives are investigating the shootings as gang-related.

-- Ruben Vives

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Paul Moore was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Nabil Tawab, 37

Nabil Tawab, a 37-year-old white man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Dec. 22, in the 26600 block of The Old Road in unincorporated Los Angeles County, authorities said.

Tawab was shot about 6:30 p.m. outside of an office building, authorities said. He was attending a holiday party with several co-workers at the building, and witnesses told detectives he went outside to get something out of his car.

Moments later, witnesses heard gunshots and found Tawab shot in the parking lot, authorities said. Witnesses told detectives they did not see a suspect, and the motive for the killing is unknown, authorities said.

Tawab was pronounced dead at a hospital at 7:17 p.m., according to coroner's records.

-- Robert J. Lopez and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Nabil Tawab was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Pico-Union: Fereidoun Kohanim, 72

Fereidoun Kohanim, a 72-year-old white man, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, after he was shot in the 1800 block of Venice Boulevard in Pico-Union, authorities said.

Kohanim, a business owner, was shot in the head during a robbery at his 98-Cent store, Los Angeles police said.

The robbery happened on the afternoon ofMonday, Dec. 21, and Kohanim was pronounced dead about 5 p.m. the next day, authorities said.

Police said three men entered the store. The first walked up to the front counter and confronted Kohanim. A second man walked behind the counter, and a third stayed at the front door as a lookout.

According to police, the man at the front counter took out a chrome-plated revolver from his waistband and pointed it at Kohanim. As Kohanim attempted to reach for the man’s gun, the man pulled away and the second man approached the store owner from behind.

But he backed away quickly when Kohanim lunged in his direction. Moments later, the first man fired one shot, striking the store owner in the head.

The men were described as two Latinos, one wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, police said, and a third man of unknown ethnicity wearing a gray long-sleeve pullover shirt and a black beanie knit cap.

All three also appeared to be wearing black knit gloves. Police released a video from a security camera.

Kohanim's family released a statement late Tuesday night: "Fereidoun Kohanim was a loving husband and father of two. He was known in the community as a warm, passionate and hard-working man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. We are devastated by this sudden loss and we will always remember him as the greatest father anyone could ask for."

Friends and family have set up an emergency fund to help support the family through this tragedy. The website is www.FredsFamilyFund.org.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Fereidoun Kohanim was shot. Click for the Pico-Union Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Ivan Munoz, 24

Ivan Munoz, a 24-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Dec. 27, at an unknown address.

Munoz's body was discovered shortly before 2 a.m. after he was driven by a friend to a 7-Eleven store parking lot at 2887 E. Valley Blvd. in West Covina. Police came to investigate after getting a report of gunshot victims at the location.

Munoz, who coroner's officials determined had been stabbed and shot,was found dead in the passenger seat of his friend’s four-door Honda Accord, said West Covina Sgt. Steve Wheeless.

The driver, who was also hurt in the incident and whose name was not released, told detectives that he and Munoz had been involved in a fight about 1:20 a.m. in the parking lot near a Margarita Jones restaurant at the Westfield Shopping Center in West Covina.

Investigators interviewed the driver at a hospital five hours after the incident had occurred.

He told authorities that after the fight, he and Munoz ran to their car and fled. The driver told police he was heading to his friend’s house in Pomona, but got lost and noticed that Munoz was no longer breathing.

“He was then looking for any business that was open,” Wheeless said.

According to the man's account, he drove almost 30 minutes before he pulled into the 7-Eleven store, about nine miles from the shopping center where he told police the fight had taken place. Police, however, said they have been unable to confirm the man’s story.

Investigators say the parking lot where the alleged fight occurred had been cleaned up by a private company, destroying any possible evidence left from the shooting.

“There’s no bullet casings … no evidence,” Wheeless said, adding that police have to take the man’s word for it now. Investigators said they were looking for assistance from anyone who may seen the altercation at the Margarita Jones parking lot. Tipsters can call (626) 939-8557.

-- Ruben Vives

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Compton: Tyrone Green, 68

Tyrone Green, a 68-year-old black man, was beaten and died Thursday, Dec. 24, in the 1200 block of South Atlantic Drive in Compton, authorities said.

Deputies found Green severely beaten and lying on the floor of his apartment after they received a call about a person not breathing, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release.

Green was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:36 p.m. No other information was immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Tyrone Green was beaten. Credit: Google Maps

Dispatch: 'He just never made it back home'

A small collection of candles sits near a street lamp outside Lincoln Elementary School in Long Beach, the only indication that Jesus Nava, a 23-year old Latino, was shot to death here at 11 p.m. on Dec. 12.

The intersection where he was killed -- 11th Street and Orange Avenue in East Long Beach -- was just seven blocks away from where he lived. Nava was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Medical Center, about 500 feet from the Metro station he had exited moments before his slaying.

“He just never made it back home,” his sister, Rosa Nava, said of that night. She learned of her brother's death when Long Beach police detectives visited her home about 3 a.m. as she and her husband were preparing to go to work on their delivery route for the Los Angeles Times.

Her brother had been walking home from the Anaheim Metro station on 11th Street after visiting his parents in North Long Beach -- something he did each weekend.

“All the brothers would be there all the time on the weekends,” his sister said. 

A recently out-of-work roofer, he had been living with his sister and her family since September. The day before he was killed, he received his unemployment check and gave his sister $150 to help pay for food for her family of six, including his four nieces and nephews.

“He knew we were currently struggling to buy groceries,” she said.

The other part of his unemployment check was going to be devoted to buying diapers for his 2-year-old son, Joseph, who lived with his mother in North Long Beach, where Nava was from, near where the 710 and 91 freeways meet.

People in their North Long Beach neighborhood have known Nava “since he was in diapers,” his sister said.

Most Christmases at their parents' home are busy, she said. Nava had four brothers and two sisters who all bring their families to celebrate, filling the home with more than 20 people. This Christmas, Rosa Nava said her brother planned to buy games for his son and his ex-girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter, Lucy.

Instead, all Christmas plans for the family were canceled.

Two days before Christmas, services were held for Nava at All Souls Mortuary in Long Beach. His ashes were be entombed Tuesday.

"There's still that one [present] that's still there," Rosa Nava said of a gift for her brother left unopened.

Nava was the only member of his family to die in recent history, his sister said. Some of their great- grandparents are still living and were not even told of his death because family members believed it would be too hard for them to learn that they outlived their 23-year-old great-grandson.

The possibility of Nava's death being gang-related is being considered, although Det. Patrick O' Dowd said authorities do not believe Nava had any gang involvement.

"We're still investigating different theories," O'Dowd said. "It's even harder when the victim has small children. Especially around the holidays."

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact O'Dowd or Det. Terri Hubert at (562) 570-7244.

-- Lauren Williams in Long Beach

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Photo: Jesus Nava, 23, was shot and killed Dec. 12 in Long Beach. Credit: Nava family. Map: Location of Nava's shooting. Credit: Google maps.

Homicides: Dec. 21 - Dec. 28

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 735. This number does not include a few cases in which the cause of death has been deferred.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials have listed the following deaths between Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 as homicides:

Doris Guardado, a 24-year-old Latina, on Dec. 21. Guardado was stabbed in the 19400 block of Wyandotte Street in Reseda.

Loren Arterberry, a 36-year-old black man, on Dec 21. Arterberry was shot at Western and Vernon avenues in Vermont Square.

Crystal Coronel, a 19-year-old Latina, on Dec. 21. Coronel was stabbed in the 8200 block of Santa Fe Springs Road in Whittier.

Fereidoun Kohanim, a 72-year-old white man, on Dec. 22. Kohanim was shot in the 1800 block of Venice Boulevard in Pico-Union.

Hiram Taylor, a 57-year-old black man, on Dec. 22. Taylor was shot at 156th Street and Central Avenue in Compton.

Nabil Tawab, a 37-year-old white man, Dec. 22. Tawab was shot in the 26600 block of The Old Road in unincorporated Los Angeles.

Kevin Shallowhorn, a 25-year-old black man, on Dec. 22. Shallowhorn was shot in the 1600 block of East 110th Street in Watts.

Tyrone Green, a 68-year-old black man, on Dec. 24. Green died of blunt force trauma in 1200 block of South Atlantic Drive in Compton.

Paul Moore, a 18-year-old black man, on Dec. 25. Moore was shot in the 9300 block of South Vermont Avenue in unincorporated Los Angeles.

Elmer Rodriguez, a 25-year-old Latino, on Dec. 25. Rodriguez was stabbed in the 5400 block of Blackwelder Street in West Adams.

Jesus Saucedo-Herrera, a 32-year-old Latino, on Dec. 25. Saucedo-Herrera was shot in the 1500 block of West Harbert Street in West Covina.

Larry Woods, a 50-year-old black man, on Dec. 26. No additional details were provided by the coroner.

Jose Landaverde, a 24-year-old Latino, on Dec. 26. Landaverde was shot in 13100 block of Vanowen Street in Valley Glen.

Ivan Munoz, a 24-year-old Latino, on Dec. 27.  Munoz was shot and stabbed. No additional details were provided by the coroner.

Willowbrook: Stacy Johnson, 42

Stacy Johnson, a 42-year-old black man, died Monday, Dec. 14, two decades after he was shot in the 2300 block of East 126th Street in Willowbrook, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Johnson was shot in 1989 and as a result of his injuries was left a paraplegic. Winter said Johnson had suffered from ulcers for years and had more recently developed sepsis, which ultimately caused his death.

Winter said Johnson was living in a care facility and was transferred to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m. Dec. 14. Winter said that because the gunshot wound in 1989 caused the medical condition that led to Johnson's death the case is considered a homicide by the coroner's definition.

Winter said another person was shot and killed in the 1989 incident, and that someone was tried and acquitted of the crime. He had no other details on the case. Detectives said they were still researching the case and needed more time before they could comment or provide more information.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Stacy Johnson was shot 20 years ago. Credit: Google Maps

Pacoima: Victor Mendez Jr., 17

Victor Mendez Jr., a 17-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 19, at Foothill Boulevard and Paxton Street in Pacoima, authorities said.

Mendez was the victim of a car-to-car shooting that police said may be gang-related. Occupants of the two vehicles exchanged words before a gunman in one car began firing on the other about 1 p.m., officials said.

The suspects' vehicle was described as a dark-colored compact.

Mendez was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:35 p.m. Police are looking for four male suspects.

-- Rich Connell

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Victor Mendez Jr. was shot. Click for the Pacoima Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Watts: Glenn Carr, 45

Glenn Carr, a 45-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Dec. 17, in the 1400 block of East 115th Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said police received a report of a shooting about 8:37 p.m. and found Carr lying on the sidewalk with several gunshot wounds.

He was taken to aas soon as he arrived at 8:59 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Glenn Carr was shot. Click for the Watts Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Pomona: Edgar Silva-Valdivia, 21

Edgar Silva-Valdivia, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 19, at Garey Avenue and Philadelphia Street in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Silva-Valdivia was driving a vehicle when he got into an argument with the occupants of another vehicle. Someone in the other car opened fire, hitting Silva-Valdivia once in the head, Winter said.

A passenger in Silva-Valdivia's car was not injured.

Silva-Valdivia was shot about 9:30 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene 20 minutes later, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Edgar Silva-Valdivia was shot. Credit: Google Maps