Dispatch: 'Buen hijo'

Brian Ramos lived in a Koreatown apartment so tiny that a single room, with a few chairs and double beds crammed end-to-side, served as living room and bedroom for him, his father, disabled mother and elderly grandmother.

Like so many L.A. neighborhoods, there's not nearly enough parking, and city transportation department officers ticket with a ferocious vigilance.

That's why Brian was outside Tuesday night. He was moving the family's cars around, trying to get them situated so they wouldn't get ticketed, said Det. John Shafia of LAPD Wilshire Division. A man or youth walked up to him, said "Where are you from?" and started shooting before Brian could answer. He fell immediately. He died at County-USC.

The parents spoke about 30 hours after Brian was shot and killed in front of the apartment building. Neither had slept or eaten. Brian's mother broke down in sobs every 30 seconds or so. They weren't sure they would be able to handle an interview, but tried anyway.

Brian was their only son. They are proud of how clean-cut he was. They keep returning to the subject. Ana Perez grew animated when she described how, after his death, police searched for some sign that Brian had gang or drug ties. They searched the house, talked to his friends, canvassed the neighborhood. They couldn't find a thing.

He didn't have a tattoo, not even an earring. He had never been arrested, never joined a gang, never had problems in school, his parents said, and police agreed. He was working full-time as a delivery driver for Coca Cola, contributing to the upkeep of his small family. He was considering studying to be a medical assistant. Or maybe a mechanic. He liked mechanical things, his father said. "Buen hijo," says his mother, over and over. Good son.

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Shafia said Brian--a 21-year-old Latino male killed by a gang member--might not stand out as a victim. Not a soldier, honor student or university grad. Yet he was exceptional, Shafia said.

The apartment  was so small and crowded he would have had to be outside a lot. He probably had to mingle with gang members every day of his life. Yet somehow he managed never to be involved. "You grow up in that neighborhood and you find your way not to be a gang member?" Shafia said, shaking his head in amazement. "I guess it must be the parents."

Detectives seek information, anonymous tips, rumors, anything. A reward is pending. Shafia and his partner are at (213) 473-0446.

Piden informacion sobre este homicidio. Llame (213) 473-0446.

Comments

[S. B.]

My heart goes out to the family of this young man. I am so sorry that your baby had to die and die the way he did. You will always be in my heart.
There are plenty of naturalized "Americans" that commit heinous crimes that end the promising lives of people. There are plenty of "illegals" that come to this country and only want a better life for their children. A killer is not made or bred by their ethnicity or nationality. Edmund Kemper, a white american, killed young women, his mother's best friend and then his mother. Why? He hated his mother and someone had to pay.
This young man and so many other people in this world are just trying to survive and have a good life and their lives are cut short by selfish people who don't care about the sanctity of life. I truly hope that the perpetrators are caught and pay dearly for what they have done.

[Ramos]

I can't believe you are gone. At times I think I'm going to see you pass by... Is hard to remember when we talked; it has been a while. Ever since I found this link I can't help to come. i lost count how many times I have seen your pic and I still don't believe it. I never thought you were going to go down like that, so young... My deepest sympathy go out to his family. Rest in Peace

[YC]

Is there a fund or any type of donation arrangements for his family? To anyone that was close to Brian. Please contact me. I would like to do something to help his family.

[Richard]

It just a shame to see this. A lot of people are out there trying to do good and do better for their life, like bryan, and for some fool to take away his life by the pull of a trigger is horrible. why do people do it? cause of no attention from others or what? killing is definetly not the way to go. bryan had a family, a family that loved and cared for him day in and day out. its just sad, too many people out there are dying the way bryan has died, needs to come to an end!

[DeWayne]

EdBruin:

You could not have said it better. My heart goes out to the family. Another honest kid who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[DG]

No words alone can comfort and ease anyone who is hurting from this. The only real comfort, and strength to keep going is from the Lord. Trust in Him and He will give you that comfort.. HE and HE alone. My prayers go out to Your family. May the Lord Comfort you in Your time of sorrow. God Bless..

[mary]

my prayers and condolonces go out to this young man's life...damn, another young man, killed for no reason...I will pray to GOD that they find the person that committed this senseless crime!

para los padres de Brian: que la paz de Dios, este con ustedes. Dios les bendiga.

[M&M]

my prayers go out to this young man's family and I will pray to GOD that they find his killer!

[EdBruin]

To Buz:

A young man has died at the hands of another, and although, the nationality or legal status of the perpetrator was not disclosed or reported, you automatically jump to legal/illegal immigration issue. Post your racist comments on other stories where suspects are proven to be illegal, and your views therefore applicable, and please restrain yourself from subconsciously targeting the victim and his family with your racist and ignorant comments. You embarass yourself.

[unico]

buz algood, what does immigration have to do with gang bangers taking an innocent life? mob mentality and idiocy is not something imported by immigrants. it exists all over. in this counrty in many forms from time immemorial. from KKK, to neo nazis, to the mafia to low level street gangs. this crime is sad, even sadder is your vile ignorance. you sound as educated as charlton heston when michael moore asked why there was so much gun violence in the US..."all the race mixing" he said. of course you can blame his alzheimers for that slip, but what is your excuse for not being sympathetic to an honest young man slain too soon... i pray allah or jesus or vishnu or some spirit gives you a heart and an ounce of compassion before poetic justice surfaces. i hope this family finds peace and justice

[EdgarFriendly]

The police officers (the officers, not police management) would really like to stage pre-emptive strike tactics on these gangbangers... unfortunately, every time they try, instead of support, there is outrage from the community and activist groups about their tactics, that they are "picking on" innocent kids, etc, etc - then they get strung out by the very department they work for. The public says they want the police to manage these gangs, but then they don't allow them to actually do it, refuse to cooperate with the police, and families such as this pay the ultimate price. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your son, he was a great kid, and an asset to the community.

[Alejandroe84]

I'd Just like to add my slice, to this horrific crime.

This man died at a young and prime age. He did not deserve such a tragic death. This gang violence, in your Americanized communities, and counties has made sadness a disease , and for that I can't understand what these families are going through. For seeing some of the comments, from previous murders, I see people questioning, and wondering why?. Well if people were more community involved, especially, statistically showing, blacks and Hispanics, then I'm sure these heart wrenching events could cease, or not so, die down. Just get involved! Make a difference!

I can only feel for this grieving family, But I will never fully understand how it is to loose someone so close and at whole, to someone who callously shoots another man.

Cheers,

A Canadian Sheep,

[Abraham Afewerki]

I don't understand why being a ganga member by itself is not a crime.There is no difference between a terrorist group and ganga bangers.Alqaeda killed 3000 Americans on9/11/01. I am sure the countless L.A. gangs are responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths.
Send them all to Guantanamo.

[A fan of the representative from California = Jill]

LAPD do your GD Job and protect the innocent will you! Here is a prime case! The innocent parents and their only son brought down by some murderous individual on the street.

[buz algood]

For those opposed to securing our borders and enforcing our immigration law I don't know what to tell you other than you reap what you sow.

[Maria]

Brian was an amazing man! He was my rock, the one who helped me see the rainbow after going through many dark days. I was fotunate to have had him in my life as my best friend. He will be missed very much. He was a good guy who was taken far too soon and did not deserve to go the way he did. My deepest sympathy go out to his parents. His mom, who is also an amazing woman has lost the greatest love of her life. Brian, I love you, always did and always will. You have left a big void in my heart.

[AB]

This makes no sense to me. A guy with everything good about him, just shot down by some coward low life.

The LAPD needs to step up and start getting offensive with these gang members, or this will never end. My friend used to live in Koreatown and its almost a breeding grown for these cowards. No cops ever, overpopulated, and lots of lame people with nothing to do. I'm sure the majority of people in Koreatown are good people, but these gang member can't be allowed to take over.

The City needs to act.

[Jerry]

Brian was a good friend..though I didn't know him long enough his passing has impacted my family and me significantly. His innocense and pure of heart was always shown and is the reason my family embraced him. Its hard to accept that he will no longer light up our lives with his smile, my mother and sisters will no longer dance cumbias in the living room, and my father and I will not have that extra help chanting "Lets go Dodgers!!" at Dodger stadium.

"THANKS FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES B - REST IN PEACE!"

[Robert Ryder]

This is a horrible tragedy. Here is this wonderful guy trying to help his family and someone kills him for no reason. This world does not make sense. Why do the gangsters kill the innocent instead of each other? This senseless violence is depressing. There is no reason for people to kill each other and now a family is ruined. How will they survive with the breadwinner gone? This is insanity and it has to stop!! Guns are not necessary in this day and age people! Stop the hate!!!

[mark]

Another clean cut kid brutally murdered by gangsters.

Isnt it about time the people of these neighborhoods ask the police to go on preemptive strikes against the gangsters? Make life miserable for them?

Or just stay there like helpless sheep.

[Kanivuz]

Lets try and shine some possitive balance into this horrible act of violence committed by one stranger to another, I have read comments by people questioning the actions of these perpetrators asking if they dont think about the victims families, honest truth is that they dont... they have been decensatised to not feel sorrow from an early age, that is why it is up to the community, specially black and hispanic males to get involved! Volunteer! Since i first read this report it made me get out and do something about it. Mentor the youth, make a possitive impact in someones life... I began voluntering for Big brothers and it is by far one of the best decisions I have made in my 25 years... These kids need possitive role models! Get Involved! not one man can it all, but we can all do a little bit, peace and LOVe

[Albert Oregel]

Growing up in similar conditions this hits close to home, the fact that we no longer value LIFE which is one's most precious possesion if you can even call it that! I must see an end to this nonsense... THANK you for putting a face and storie behind these individuals who would otherwise go unoticed! this list makes a powerful impact to me at least, and have begun voluntering in my community working with young kids who have no one possitive to llok up too... get involvede people, not one man can do it all , but we can all do a little bit

[DLOVE]

Black on Black, Brown on Brown, Black on Brown, Brown on Black, when will it end. Another man gone, his mother can no longer smile any longer. When we they realize, we are in it together. Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness, against such, there is no law. I know it is hard, but be encouraged. What they sow, also shall they reap.

[LC]

R.I.P. My condolences to his family. It's so unfair....

[Preston]

Damn again...RIP my friend! Black Brown..I don't care...HUMAN.

One Love!

I cry...not for this young man, but for the next one to come. There will be more. I pray it's not me God!