Dispatch: Laura Sanchez, 34

"Can't you make this come out on the front page of the newspaper instead of the war?" Laura Sanchez's nephew asked. "We have a war here."

Sanchez, 34, a Latina woman, was shot and killed in the 4500 block of Long Beach Boulevard in LAPD's Newton Division just south of downtown L.A. at 10:10 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Latino men or youths drove by her parked car and shot her, police said. She was a mother of five, killed in front of her 17-year-old son.

Her nephew spoke the morning after Sanchez was killed by gunfire while parking her car at the curb.

Family members were setting up a shrine as he spoke. Sanchez was the mother of five children, ages 5 to 19. The family offered pictures, not just of Sanchez, but also of her children. "She was a very devoted mother," said her sister-in-law, Adela Barajas. "Her house was the family hangout. We'd come over, and she'd cook."

Sanchez was on her way from a waltzing class that her daughter and friends were taking in preparation for the daughter's upcoming quinceanera. Her 17-year-old son was in the car.

When they parked at the curb, some men or youths drove by. They spotted the 17-year-old son, then fired, striking Sanchez. She died later at a hospital. The son was not hit. He was not a gang member, and police don't think the attackers knew him. 

Barajas, the sister-and-law, explains how she told the rest of Sanchez's children the news. The 5-year-old had difficulty understanding; she explained that Sanchez had to leave to take care of a late grandparent. Barajas said wants to speak out publicly in protest, then began to cry. "I know I have to say something, but it's hard," she said. Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Division homicide detectives at (323) 846-6556.

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Comments

[Truth]

Obviously the shooters were targetting the 17 year old son who was a gang banger, although that is never revealed in the media because it is politically incorrect. Even when a banger is shot and killed, the family gives the media a picture of him going to church, NOT THE WAY HE /SHE REALLY LOOKED. Hopefully the son will step up and care for his siblings otherwise we'll have five more welfare /future criminals in the waiting.

[Linda]

My deepest sympathies to the family. I just happened upon this page while reading the news, and felt I should offer my prayers and my saddness. It does appear to be a war right here in America. Most of us barely know it exists. I myself am humbled by the observation of this page full of lives lost. I am sorry. Peace.

[KARINA VILLASENOR]

THIS COMMENT IS FOR THE SAD HUMAN BEING THAT MADE THAT IGNORANT COMMENT. A PRAYER WOULD BE NICE OR A I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOST TO THIS GRIVING FAMILY.

IF YOUR CONCERN IS WELFARE AND FUTURE CRIME THEN GET UP FROM THAT CHAIR AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT LIKE READ THE BIBLE OR PRAY FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS LIKE YOU. DO NOT POINT THE FINGER OR JUDGE IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO LIVE IN A NICE AREA OR LETS SAY A SAFE PLACE!

[AS]

Five children have lost their mother!! Whether the 17 year old youth was a gangbanger or not this death is tragic. It's very easy to judge and assume this family depends on welfare simply because they live in South LA. Stop judging and learn to be compassionate.

[Ivi]

Heaven forbid that there's another explanation offered for the senseless act of violence, other than that which Truth has stated. Your ignorance is beyond comprehension to me, instead of relying on simple facts, you choose to insinuate that a son who has just seen his mother killed in front of him is responsible, since he must be a gangmember, and his siblings will choose to follow the same life of crime. Gang crime is definetly not a politically incorrect issue, especially here in los Angeles, its safe to assume that you must be new to the area to even think that. I grieve for the loss that the Sanchez family is going through.

[sara]

THE SON WAS NOT A GANG BANGER!..

[unknown]

the son was not a gang banger I know because he is my cousin and I can asure u isn't one and never was

[J. Alvarez]

Unbelievable, just like that a mother taken away and killers walking around everyday like nothing happened. It's like Iraq in L.A., the media and police like to label these murders as gang related, that puts the their minds, the city leaders, and the people who live in other areas at ease. I'm sure it was a mistaken identity case, but nowhere in the new will it say that.

The city needs to stop accepting it like it's common everyday occurance and take control.

[Izzie]

he was not a gang member!!!!!! and your a fool to judge....RIP LAURA WE'LL ALWAYS MISS YOU PRIMA...

[Aaron]

When are guns going to be outlawed already?!?!? I'm tired of hearing these tragic stories.

[DP]

This is a response to that idiot Truth. I live in Miknneapolis ,Minnesota where even in a community that is not as large as los Angels, mistaken identity is is common. Whites act like all blacks look alike. Blacks say all latinos/latinas look alike and Asians say all white people look alike. So how can anyone just assume that the 17 year-old was a banger? He might have looked like someone who bangs but may not be a banger. One way to make sure his siblings are not going to be of the criminal mind, is for you to directly invest in some of their interest. But I know you can't do that, AIN"T that the Truth.

[Precious]

May God Bless Laura (RIP) and her wonderful children my heart goes out to you all, I hope the Child of SATAN is caught and will serve his time by death it is a sin to committ murder (HOW CAN YOU TAKE SOMEONE'S LIFE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW) that's my ?. May you all be safe and may God Keep you & Mend Your Broken Heats.......

[sharonda]

i think that is a very sad situation i live half way across the united states and read this sad sad story i am the same age as this young mother was with five children and a son who is seventeen years old also i dont know the circumstances surrounding her death but its sad that these young men think with weapons and not with their brains because if they did she would still be alive i was reading through all the homicides there in los angelas and surrounding cities its a sad situation

[Jennifer]

Exactly just beacuse the family lives in South LA it doesn't mean they were on welfare and the son is not a gang member. Honestly you are no one to judge or say what these kids are going to become for all I know these kids can finish school and become your lawyer, police officer or something even better! You must be a very miserable person and problay haven't been able to become anything in this world! You are just hating on all these people that live in not so good areas and get good paying jobs. Trust me they will become something they always mange to prove people like you wrong! Which they will!!!

[Aaron]

I feel deeply sorry for Laura and her children. What is happened is horrible and heartbreaking. I am just an insignificant web reader from far away that has absolutely no clue on how is the living standards in down town Los Angels. However crimes like this one shouldn't be only a number on a statistic or an article on the paper. Of course I don’t want to judge anybody, I have no right to do so. Anyway, Laura's 17 years old son and his siblings should be given extra care in order for them to gain courage and forgiveness, which are the keys, I believe, to cure all these problems. Respect!!!

[Ariana Marquez]

This comment is for "TRUTH"...I am appalled and in complete disbelief at your ignorant comments and assumptions. Whether the son was gang affiliated or not is completely irrelevant. The TRUTH of the matter is that innocent lives are taken every day in this part of Los Angeles. Merely living in the vicinity is motive enough for a bored criminal to target you. Assuming that a person is a "gang banger" based on his econic situation or place of residence is rather ignorant on your behalf. The same goes for your assumption that this mother's children will somday be dependant on welfare or become criminals. I suggest you get your facts straight before making assumptions as to why an innocent mother has lost her life. If gang violence and welfare are of such concern to you, I persuade you to go out into these communities and do something about it rather than complain about what kind of pictures a victim's family decides to release to the media.

My condolences go out to the Sanchez family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

[thomas]

When the year 2007 comes to a close........22,000 people would have been murdured in the U.S.A.,I CAME TO THIS FIGURE by averaging the murder rate in this country since 1970.The u.s. per.cap. murder rate is higher than most third world countries,90 per-cent in our inner cities.As long as this problem stay`s away from white america,george bush and the rest of the elites will blink thier eyes.I MYSELF moved to the state to of washinton,from so.cal to get away from the combat zone (WHITE FLIGHT) SO i do pray for you people eVerynite.

[thomas]

When the year 2007 comes to a close........22,000 people would have been murdured in the U.S.A.,I CAME TO THIS FIGURE by averaging the murder rate in this country since 1970.The u.s. per.cap. murder rate is higher than most third world countries,90 per-cent in our inner cities.As long as this problem stay`s away from white america,george bush and the rest of the elites will blink thier eyes.I MYSELF moved to the state to of washinton,from so.cal to get away from the combat zone (WHITE FLIGHT) SO i do pray for you people eVerynite.

[Rebecca M]

My heart and prayer goes out to this family.
Laura, may your soul rest in peace.
This was a tragic mistake. People should not judge what they do not know.

[Leon]

I am a guy from Great Britain, I regularly look at the LA Times and especially the Homicide report. I am just in shock at how human life seems to mean so little to gang members. I know that some will say that way of life was forced on them because of the area they live, but they still have a choice not to take a life and make an honest living. Reading these desperately sad accounts of people's lives being taken often for no reason it makes me realise just how lucky I am to live in a peaceful area of the UK where there are no guns and crime is virtually non-existent. I just wish everyone could get along, black people, white people and those of latin origin because ultimately we are all human beings. The loss of this young woman is truly sad and the animals who claim to be men and hardmen at that are cowards hiding behind guns and gangs. What chance does one unarmed woman have against gang members, it just shows how weak they are that they feel the need to attack women, children and unarmed men. Very weak.

[Belinda]

This saddens me so much to see a mother gunned down, I know how the family feels, I also lost a son to murder & it is not easy. It is out of control and I don't know who is going to fix this gang problem here in Los Angeles. They know that these gangbangers ride around armed and they are a danger to our communities. I am so so sad for this family. I will pray for some healing because I know as a mother of a murdered child it will take a lot of praying. GOD will see that these gangbangers get caught and brought to justice in Mrs. Sanchez homicide case. They can run but they cannot hide, the LORD will see fit. In JESUS name I will pray for the family. I will especially pray for her children, they are the ones who will suffered most. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY & PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL.

[Adela Barajas]

HELLO AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. WITH HUMILITY AND RESPECT, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CONTINUED BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS. Laura was my sister-in-law. She was a very loving mother, wife, and a friend. Her five children are not affiliated or associated with gang-members.

Indeed, Laura’s residence was in South Los Angeles. Unlike her childhood upbringing, Laura’s dream was to have a big family so that she could have her house full of joy with kids playing, reading, and the basic recreational activities. She understood her socio-economic status, which is why she opted to stay in the same neighborhood. She devoted herself to her kids’ education. With very limited resources offered by the community, she took advantage of every opportunity available and consumable to enjoy the intangible things in life.

Sadly, the resources offered for youth were very limited where she lived. Her focus or goal was getting her children into LAUSD-Magnet school program even if it meant dropping-off and picking them up at different bus stops or driving to nearby cities where her kids could play sports. It is evident that the youths in South Los Angeles are deprived of recreational activities offered at nearby cities where they have the privilege and unlimited choices of activities.

We need to understand that not all gang members are at a “stage” where they should not be perceived as criminals. These kids are deprived of positive influences or role models to admire or look up to. They need help to change. It might sounds as a cliché, but please look and listen without prejudice before making an informed decision.

I would like to invite all of you to help me make a change in this community. Come and support us on May 19, 2007. My family and Councilwoman Jan Perry’s office want to make a difference in this community in Laura’s honor. We are planning several “Peace Walks” throughout the community.

I encourage anyone who lives in this area to come and join us. I have expressed and voiced the frustration to different politicians. Sadly, the federal government does not have the leverage and always overlook “THE FORGOTTEN CITY”. The President has taken away the funds that should go to cities like Los Angeles for “ Gang Preventions” and “Youth Summer Jobs” to spend the monies on war and defense.

The politicians do not always focus on our community because we do not have a large number of registered voters where their focus is diverted on areas with large majority voters. Our Councilwoman Jan Perry’s office will be helping raise awareness on May 19, 2007. Our focus is on “Register to Vote”.

We will have registration boots at Fred Roberts Recreation/Park on 48th /Long Beach Ave. We would like to register as many people who are eligible and not registered.

[Rosa Barajas]

Today May 19, 2007 two months later,we had our second PEACE WALK for my sister in law Laura Sanchez. THANK GOD and eveybody that has kept us in their prayers and Thank you to everybody who joined us today in this Peace Walk in her honor. Times like these are when you see who the TRUE FRIENDS and FAMILY are. it's been two long difficult months for our family, but we have made it this far and I know will will continue to make it one day at a time. I would like to take this opprtunity to ask that in respect for Laura, that we keep all the comments posted here positive. I and my family continue to miss Laura very much and looking at negative comments about her or my nephew does not ease our pain. Laura will be missed forever. A special thank you to my sister Adela for her persistence and dedication, we LOVE you.

[monica zamora]

prima u will be deeply missed.i love u mija,i remember when we were lil kids i would go stay the weekends with her and i always thought to myself when i grow up i wanna be just like her.she was just one of a kind an angel from above i always knew she would be a great caring loving mother to her kids.the kind of mom anyone would have love to have.she just had this heart of gold always helping everybody in the family.n was the only one who tried to keep our families together.that was her joy her kids n family no matter what.now that god has taken her from us i dont know what to become of us when she was the only one that basicly brought us together.laura may u rest in peace and know that no matter what i always carried u in my heart even though i wasnt around as much as we got older.my daughters and god know that u were always my favorite.may god be with ur kids mija .

[Tracee]

To Adela: My name is Tracee and I would like to involved in the peace walks that will be taking place. Please contact me so that I can be an active
voice in the community. My e-mail is tubby_kiki@yahoo.com. Thank you very much.

[Rosa Barajas]

IT'S BEEN TWO ROUGH YEARS WITHOUT YOU AND WE STILL CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR GONE!!! I'M STILL MISSING YOU!!!

[Cynthia Lara]

This message is to everyone who reads. i am Laura'a neice and who better than anyone to tell you about my family then me. i am proud to say we are still a strong family and now we have an organization and we promote peace in our Community.

Today is Laura's aniversary. today marks 2 years from her being taken from us and we are well but still missing a peace in our heart. thank you for everyones prayers and those who dont believe i am sorry you do not have a heart.

[Antonio]

Hi from Italy, this piece of news landed here, it is tragic and incredible at the same time. We realize you have a war over there, a war that makes no sense because it sounds like it's based on one's looks - we read of stuff like this going on between tribes in the most remote and rural areas of the world, we would never expect to see the same going on in our front yards. That said, the tragedy within the tragedy is reading some of the comments above. We have a similar situation in my Country. If someone gets randomly killed where I live, the fact would stick on the newspaper's front pages for months, the killers would be hunted down even if they escaped to Tibet and endless TV debates would follow. If someone gets killed in the south of Italy, no one would care. It's mafia down there, so, in some way, the victim must have been killed for some good reason. If you are unlucky enough to be born or live in a certain place, then you are automatically guilty
anything happens. To the Family I can only say you have all our sympathy and we hope this tragedy would at least yield a change for the better by drawing the type of attention it deserves.