Martin Garcia, 17
Martin Garcia, a Latino youth, 17 years old, was shot at 20420 Western Ave. in LAPD's Harbor area, and was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he died. The suspects were two Latino men or youths with shaved heads in a silver minivan. "Where are you from?" they demanded.
His case highlights the ambiguity of so-called "gang-related" homicides, a loose term at best that tends to paint victims with a single, broad brush. Police had documented Garcia as a gang member. But that was mainly because of whom he knew, said Det. David Cortez of LAPD's Harbor station.
He had grown up in the neighborhood, and was surrounded by gang members from early childhood, so it was not unnatural for him to know and associate with them, Cortez said. But Garcia was not considered to be deeply involved in gang life, and he had no criminal record to speak of, Cortez said. He had gone to Narbonne High, then a continuation school.
When his killers demanded his gang affiliation, Martin tried to tell them he didn't have one. He did call out after they shot him, though--not for his gang, but for his mother. "Mom, mom! I'm shot!" he reportedly said before dying, according to Cortez.
Harbor detectives want tips. Call (310) 522-2036.
Although this blog is very startling, and I am appalled at the fact that so many people have lost their lives in our city, I am happy (I don't even think I should use that word, but yeah...) that you have chosen to write something about each victim. So many times, the victims of violence are overlooked by the media because they aren't deemed valuable enough.
Thank you for keeping us Angelinos abreast of the goings of our city.
peace
Posted by: the prisoner's wife | September 16, 2007 at 08:00 PM
The youngster killed on Western and 204 was named Martin Garcia. He went by the moniker "Chunky Boy" He's from WS 204st Chiko Lokos. He'll be missed by many!
RIP Chunky-Boy
W~S 204ST. CHLS
Posted by: Citizen | September 17, 2007 at 10:38 PM
I know your still probably getting caught up on the weekends stories but I don't see mention of the Long Beach shooting/murder from this weekend. Information is here: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_6913782
Posted by: kyle | September 18, 2007 at 07:11 AM
An interesting set of comments about the death of this kid Martin Garcia (big Chunky), apparently he was a member of 204st gang. There are links to stories of brutal killings commited by 204st gang members and, it looks like many people are angry at and feel no sympathy for gang members.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/9829782.html
Posted by: hector | September 25, 2007 at 03:20 AM
first of all my brother wasnt a gang member,ya we all grew up around this thats how he knew people.if you saw anything please come forward.my brother was innocent and didnt deserve this.and to you that pulled the trigger,remember what goes around comes around.:)
Posted by: irene j | June 12, 2008 at 03:25 PM
im a really close friend of martin from san diego i've known him since we were really young he was like cousin 2 me i remember how when i was @ his sister irene's pad and he would come over sometime but i never thought his life would end like this he was a really cool guy real G too and i miss him as much as everyone else does R.I.P BIG CHUNKY and 4 his killer watch ur back ese
Posted by: jesse barragan | March 03, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Ikn Martin since middle school all the way
to high school and jst cuz the way he dressed
or were he live didn't mean he was gang
related ! I couldn't believe he dead
he was a good kid he was funny
member Martin all the times you
make fun of me! I really missed those
dayz! What they did to you is was not
right!
Posted by: Maria bueno rodriguez | September 05, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Maria, are you saying he dressed like a gangster?
Posted by: syscom3 | September 05, 2009 at 10:41 PM