Alexander Ponce, 19

Alexander Ponce, a 19-year-old Latino young man, died at a hospital after being shot at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in the 2100 block of East Oris Street in Willowbrook. Preliminary reports stated that he was inside a truck with drive-by shooters, attacking someone who fired back and killed him. HR is seeking more information.

Comments

[Ian Coppins]

I live in New Zealand a country where fire arms are strictly controlled. The things that I am seeing here are alien to me. The hundreds of people shot dead every year in LA make me deeply sad, do you honestly think that your " right to bear arms" makes your community any safer? Act now, vote for strict gun control laws to be imposed and get those firearms out of the hands of idiots.

[andria]

I would like to begin by extending my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alexander Ponce. Losing a 19 year old is truly a tragedy. I know that no one in his family will ever be the same. His life was valuable and his passing will leave a hole in many people’s hearts. However, Diana’s comment that he was a “kool guy who just made some bad choices” is very frightening. Bad choices for a 19 year old could entail being late to work, or perhaps stepping out on one’s girlfriend, but being in a vehicle with people who are shooting at human beings really does belong in another category all together. How can we hope to make our neighborhoods better if we are not brutally honest about what is acceptable and unacceptable? Just because we love someone does not mean that we have to make excuses for their behavior. We can love people and reject their behavior. Good parents and good friends do it all the time! The gang problem is complicated and multifaceted. We need federal money for our educational system so all schools, in all neighborhoods, from nursery school through college, are good and free. We need quality after school care. We need a trustworthy police force. The list goes on and on, and seems endless at times. But all of the above will not be enough if we as family and friends do not insist that our loved ones respect all human beings. Let me be clear, I am not blaming the family of Alexander Ponce for his choices. Each one of us makes our own choices and is accountable for them. I have no doubt that Alexander Ponce was at one time a “kool guy”, but at the time of his death, he was engaged in some very frightening behavior. Perhaps Diana will learn something from his tragedy and realize there is a huge difference between making a bad choice and deciding to be involved in heinous behavior. Perhaps she should hold her next boyfriend to a higher standard; she would be doing him and all of society a favor.

[diana]

people make mistakes ,and make the wrong choices it doesnt mean they terrorized their community dont talk if u didnt know him he may have made wrong choices but he was still a human who leaves behind a girlfrind and family .He was a kool guy just made wrong chices miss you .I remember prom ..

[Mark]

Poetic justice for this guy. Going on a cowardly drive by shooting, and getting shot by your intended victim.

Its good he was shot and killed before he could pull the trigger on someone. He could be one of the many "unknown assailants" who killed someone else in the HR who wasn't a gang member and just happened to be in his sights. There's no doubt this guy was a violent predator who terrorized many people.