Shantell Martinez, 18
Shantell Martinez, 18, a young woman of black-Latino heritage, was shot in the head in a cul-de-sac at 2501 West View Street north of Adams Boulevard in LAPD's Southwest Division about 5:15 p.m. Monday, July 30. Her time of death was listed as 8:30 that night.
Three other people were wounded in the confrontation -- a man or youth and two young women or girls -- but survived.
Police said Martinez and the other three victims were in a group of about 10 people, mostly women and girls, when a car pulled up. The occupants began quarreling with the group on the street. The people in the car started shooting. One of the wounded, a young woman who was struck in the torso, remained hospitalized. Martinez died of her injuries at a hospital. The confrontation occured along the sound wall that divides the eastbound lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway from the neighborhood just east of La Brea Avenue.
(Shantell Martinez and friends. Her nickname, according to notes left at the scene, was "White Girl."
Below, her name spelled out in candles. The slope behind abuts the eastbound lanes of the Santa Monica Freeway at La Brea Avenue.)
I just googled my name and saw this article. I feel so bad and haunted seeing her pic and reading the story. We share the same name and lived in the same city. One of my biggest fears living in S. California is getting killed in this fashion. I wish more attention would be directed toward dealing with our very own urban terrorism that continues to kill countless people in the streets of Los Angeles. May she rest in peace and my condolences to the family!
Posted by: Shantel Martinez | January 02, 2008 at 11:23 PM
I didn't know Shantell. I just wanted to acknowledge her existence because every "Life" does matter and it's heart wrenching to see children and babies die from violence. People need to pull the veil from their eyes and see that Southern California is full of violence, death and problems that will not be solved on it's own. What it takes is communities and unity because every death that I have read about is absolutely senseless. You are not powerless but fear will keep you down.
With Love Respect and Peace,
Jade
Posted by: Jade | November 23, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Shan -Shan
I will never forget your smile your funny and crazy self that you were. The little bit of time that we spent together at grammas house when we had Bar BQ's but your in a better place then us your looking at us from heaven because your our angel looking down from heaven talking care of your mom and peanut and baby sister. Mija you will always be remerbered in our heart thats forsure. You will be missed and loved for ever. May God give your mom Liz y Tino the strenth to be stong because there baby girl has left to heaven. May God bless the family Martinez we love you always from your cousin Patty Chihuahua that loves you and miss you mija GOD BLESS YOU LITTLE MAMA!!!
Much love and respect from the Family CHIHUAHUA tio Art, Pancha, patty, leslie, tury we love you and miss you ......
Posted by: Patty Chihuahua | November 22, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Shantell, my sister from another mother, god knows how hard its been for me sense you left!! You always been right here with me sense we were little kids, my house is filled with so many memories of us growing up here!!! Every room in my house makes me think of you. Not a day go past that I don't wonder what ur doing up there in heaven!! I miss you soooooooo much already and you haven't been away that long. I ask god to give me strenght to help me get through!! Your sis jazy
Posted by: jasmine | September 20, 2007 at 02:22 AM
I was highly shocked when I recieved the news at work. I couldn't believe what had happened. She was such a cool girl, and real sweet. I didn't know her all that long but during the time I did we became friends within the working enviornment. She is in a better place now, I hope to see her when I get there. R.I.P. Chantell. My condolences go out to all her family and friends.
Isiah Greene
Posted by: Isiah Greene | August 28, 2007 at 09:48 AM
Our sincere sympathys go out to the whole family and may god give them the strength the they need to get over this tragedy. I didn't get to know shantell for a long time but she had a real beautiful smile wish would lighten everyones day. i remember shantell when she was a little smaller her baby face she had looking so pretty all the time with her long pretty hair. I had told my husband do you remember tito's little girl shantell he said no not reallly but then he replied oh i know who your talking about it that little huerita with the red cheeks he always remembered her like that because she always had her cheeks red. And just when the tragedy happened the whole day i was thinking about her telling myself its been a while i have'nt seen shantell around thinking what a big grown woman she had turned to she is one year older than my daughter so i know it must be real tough for a mother to loose their oldest daughter. my prayers are with the family and may god bless them all and give them them alot of strength to handle all the pain and suffering their going through right now.
May she rest in peace and just to think shantell is in a peaceful place.
OUR HUGS AND CONDULCENS GO OUT TO YOU TITO AND LIZ!!!
Posted by: Betty Boop & Family | August 07, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Chantell,
You are a great friend and we will always remember you for the rest of our days and may your family make it through this hard time
Love,
The Browns
Posted by: The Browns | August 07, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Chantell,
You are a great friend and we will always remember you for the rest of our days and may your family make it through this hard time
Love,
The Browns
Posted by: The Browns | August 07, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Shantell,
Your smile and personality always brighten up our homes. We cannot believe that you are not here with us. We pray for you and your family daily that the Lord will protect and guide them in their time of sorrow. We all wish we could have been there to protect you.
Your friends
Posted by: Your friends from Hamilton | August 03, 2007 at 08:24 PM
To our beloved Chantell,
You will always be in our hearts and prayers, may God have you in heavon, surrounded by his love and mercy. You will be missed, and our prayers go out to your mother, and father. That the Lord will give them the strength to continue in lilfe, and may the Lord have them under his tender loving care.
We love you, and always will remember you.
Posted by: Your Uncle and Aunt and cousins | August 03, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Shantel: May you rest in peace. Toly: Tengo que decirte que hace dos semanas le platique a mi mama, (Olivia Cordova) que sone a tu mami, a tu papa, a mi tata, a mi nana, a mi Tio Ezequiel, y a otras personas que ya han fallecido. Que tenian una gran reunion y que estaban muy contentos. Ahora veo porque. Estaban listos para recibir un gran angel, a tu linda nieta. Que nuestro Padre Celestial les de la fuerza para sobre llevar esta gran pena, este dolor que es un dolor se queda en nuestros corazones para siempre.
Con todo corazon quisieramos acompanar a ti y a tu familia, pero por problemas de salud, nos va a ser imposible. Que Dios los bendiga. Con todo carino. Tu prima Anna Marie, Samuel Miller y Familia
Posted by: Anna Marie (Cordova) Miller | August 03, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Chantell..
May you find peace with your father in heaven. Your beauty and smile will always be remembered. We pray for your family daily, and know they will find comfort in the Lord's eternal mercy.
The Ables-Morales Family
Posted by: Adriane Ables | August 02, 2007 at 08:42 PM