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 The Los Angeles County Coroner's Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a Latino man who was stabbed to death, said Craig Harvey, chief coroner investigator. The man's body was found 25 feet south of the eastbound 118 Freeway, just west of De Soto Street in the Porter Ranch area about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. He was approximately 5 feet 8 inches, between the ages of 18 to 24, and was wearing blue button-fly jeans, a gray shirt, a blue jacket, brown work boots and a yellow metal ring with three clear stones.
Anyone with information can call Investigator Daniel Machian at the L.A. County coroner identification unit, (323) 343-0754.
Maurio Proctor, a 25-year-old black man, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting along 101st Street in South L.A. at about 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. According to Det. Sal LaBarbera of LAPD's South Bureau, Proctor and another man were standing near an apartment unit at the Jordan Downs housing project, when a black Chevrolet Impala drove by and began shooting. Proctor was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. Proctor's death is related to a series of shootings connected to the death of Branden Bullard (see below).
Update: Police arrested Daniel Colvin, a 19-year-old young black man, Tuesday, Jan. 29, on suspicion of murder. Police declared Colvin as the suspected gunman in the drive-by shooting after detectives searched through surveillance videos, authorities said. Cedrick Johnson, an 18-year-old young black man, was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in the shooting, detectives said.
Branden "B.L." Bullard, 25, a black man, was shot in a gang-related shooting at 147 E. Florence Ave. in South Los Angeles at about 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. According to police, an unknown suspects fired several shots into a crowd of gang members that were partying inside a rented hall. Bullard was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Five other people were taken to various hospitals, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office. All five were in stable condition, she added.
According to LAPD, Bullard's shooting has triggered a series of retaliation shootings in Watts that have left two other men dead and 13 wounded. Los Angeles Times story
Mauricio Reyes-Cruz, 21, a Latino man, was shot and killed in the 1200 block of West Anaheim Street at about 1:10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. According to Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office, Reyes and his brother were eating at a taco truck when two Latino men approached them. An argument between Reyes and one of the men followed and shots were fired. Officers with LAPD's Harbor Division were dispatched to the location and discovered Reyes and his brother with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics declared Reyes dead at the scene. His brother was taken to a local hospital, where he remained in stable condition. The suspects fled in a white Chevy Astro van, said Eisenman.
Alvaro Calderon, 31, a Latino man, was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting at 12801 Strathern St. in North Hollywood at about 11:40 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Officers with LAPD's North Hollywood Division responded to a call of a man down and discovered Calderon on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. The shooting is believed to be gang-related, said Officer Mike Lopez of LAPD's media relations office. According to detectives, Calderon was walking south on Bellaire Avenue when he was shot. Calderon was taken by ambulance to Holy Cross hospital, where he died the next day at 12:15 a.m.
Samantha Salas, a 16-year-old Latina youth, was fatally shot in the 2500 block of Peck Road in Monrovia at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. According to Deputy Bill Brauberger of the Sheriff's Department, Salas was standing outside with a friend when two male suspects aproached them and began shooting. The suspects fled north on Peck Road. Salas was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her friend was also taken to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition. The shooting was gang-related. More information available from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
 Richard Broussard, a 20-year-old black man, was killed in a gang-related shooting at 130 West 110th St. at about 12:40 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. According to South Bureau homicide detectives, officers with LAPD's Southeast Division were patrolling the area when they saw a group of men standing in the middle of the street. As officers were about to approach the group, a gunman opened fire. Broussard was hit and was later taken to a local hospital, where he died the next day at 1:20 a.m. Shortly after the shooting, officers arrested John Buckner, 20, who was seen running from the group with a gun, detectives say. A 16-year-old also was arrested in connection with the slaying. Anyone with information about the incident can call (213) 485-4341.
Daniel Rodriguez, a 22-year-old Latino man, was fatally shot in the 4400 block of Arden Drive in El Monte at about 11:57 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. El Monte police officers responded to a report of shots fired, according to Lt. Michelle States of the El Monte Police Department. Paramedics declared the man dead at the scene. Homicide detectives with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are investigating, said Det. Tracy Gonzales of the sheriff's homicide bureau.
Khalfani Taylor, a 17-year-old black youth, was fatally shot in an alley near the 14700 block of Chadron Avenue at about 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene, according to Det. Tracy Gonzales of the L.A. County sheriff's homicide bureau.
Derick Jones, a 26-year-old black male, was fatally shot at 4186 La Salle Ave. at about 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Detectives with LAPD's South Bureau are investigating.
Willard Faughnder, 79, a white man, was fatally shot in a domestic dispute at 6231 Golden Sands Drive in Long Beach around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. According to Long Beach police, dispatchers received a call from a woman who said she had shot her husband. Officers responded to a mobile home and discovered the body of Faughnder with a gunshot wound.
More details available from an L.A. district attorney's office statement and in the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Jesse Garibay, 45, a Latino man, was stabbed multiple times and set on fire at 115 West 86th Place in South L.A. on Monday, Jan. 21. His time of death was listed as 3:39 p.m., according to a coroner's report. The Los Angeles Police Department's South Bureau is investigating.
Matthew Zabaneh, 20, a Latino man, was stabbed at 11937 Magnolia St. in El Monte at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18. Zabaneh was transported by ambulance to County USC-Medical Center, where he died on Jan. 21. His time of death was listed as 7:59 p.m., according to a coroner's report.
Suzanna Jaramillo, 32, a Latina woman, was fatally shot in the head by her boyfriend Gustavo Tellez Jr., 35, in a murder-suicide in the 7600 block of Newlin Avenue in Whittier at about 12:48 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. Whittier police officers discovered the bodies inside the bedroom of Jaramillo's upstairs apartment after a friend called police. Neighbors told officers that the couple, who had a history of domestic disputes, had been arguing earlier in the day, said Jason Zhulke, spokesman for the Whittier Police Department. A neighbor said Jaramillo had a 6-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, and that she had just started looking for a new job. The children were not home at the time of the incident, Zhulke said.
Relatives standing outside the apartment's living room window Tuesday morning refused to answer any questions about the incident. Instead, they quietly walked down and got inside a dark tinted-window Camry, where they remained for a few minutes before driving off.
(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, Jan. 21-27, 2008.)
The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the period of Jan. 15-20, 2008.
 Ikime Sims, 20, a black man, was shot in the face at the intersection of Orcutt Avenue and 58th Way in Long Beach at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Sims was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:58 p.m. Anyone with information can call Det. David Rios at (562) 570-7244.
 Christopher O'Leary, 34, a white man, was fatally shot near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Avenue 46 in Highland Park on Sunday, Jan. 20. O'Leary was on his way to the store when a man or youth approached him and shot him. A passerby discovered the body and reported it to police. The motive is still unclear, said homicide Det. Lewis Lenchuk of LAPD's Northeast Division. O'Leary was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where he was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m.
O'Leary was an employee at the Department of Public Health in the Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Program. Having a doctorate in medical anthropology, O'Leary assisted in launching two STD prevention campaigns, according to Harlan Ortabalatt, a colleague. The first, "Check Yourself," was aimed at preventing the spread of syphilis among gay men. The second, "I Know," attempted to prevent the spread of chlamydia and gonorrhea among women of color. He was scheduled to give a presentation about the campaigns at the National STD Prevention Conference in Chicago and the International AIDS Prevention Conference in Mexico City later this year.
Those who knew and worked with O'Leary described him as an astute and vibrant person. "He would make you come alive," Ortabalatt said. "It would heighten your level about life." Unanimously, friends and colleagues have taken comfort in the idea that O'Leary was his usual self that Sunday; he was happy and enjoying life. Read O'Leary's obituary in the Sacramento Bee for more.
Anyone with information about the incident can call (213) 847-426.
* Update: LAPD Northeast detectives have cleared this case: A 17-year-old Latino youth has been arrested. Times story.
Miguel Juarez, a 19-year-old young Latino man, was shot in an apparent gang-related shooting at a "flyer party" at 223 Bullis Road in Compton shortly after midnight Sunday, Jan. 20. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies responded to reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies discovered eight people with gunshot wounds; three were in critical condition. Juarez, among the three injured, was taken to St. Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m. said Det. Phillip Guzman of the sheriff's homicide bureau. The party had been publicized on the social network MySpace, Guzman said. Arley Aguilar,19, the disc jockey at the party, said he saw a man standing atop a car being repaired and began shooting, an L.A. Times article reported. Jaurez was a resident of Cudahy.
For more on a 2004 LAPD crackdown on "flyer parties," click below the jump:
Continue reading "Miguel Juarez, 19" »
Russell Randall, a 38-year-old black man, was shot and killed at 1116 West 64th St. in South L.A. at about 9:40 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Division responded to an open window at a home and found Russell dead from a gunshot wound to the head, said Officer Michael Lopez with the department's media relations office.
Dennis Moses, a 17-year-old black youth from Long Beach, and Breon Taylor, a black 15-year-old girl from Los Angeles, were shot at 5918 Parkcrest St. in Long Beach at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Both teens were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A third teenager received non-life-threatening injuries. Long Beach police officials say the shooting occurred after a fight at the Lakewood Masonic Lodge, where 200 people were attending a birthday party. Anyone with information can call Dets. Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes at (562) 570-7244. Los Angeles Times story
Breon Taylor, a 15-year-old black girl, is the second victim of a double homicide described above.
A Latino man was stabbed to death at an unknown location Saturday, Jan 19. His time of death was listed as 8:40 a.m., according to a coroner's report.
Ricardo Merino, a 6-year-old Latino boy, died from physical trauma at County-USC hospital at about 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, said Lt. Fred Coral of the L.A. County coroner's office. There are no further details.
 Francisco Aguirre Jr., a 31-year-old Latino man, was killed by a hit-and-run driver at 1519 North Gaffey Street in San Pedro at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. According to Det. Frank Weber, Aguirre and his friends were returning from a birthday celebration and had made a final stop at a 7-Eleven. Inside the store, a man got into a verbal confrontation with one of Aguirre's friends. As Aguirre and his friends were returning to their limo bus, the man -- who had been waiting on the lot -- reversed his van and plowed through the group, injuring two people and dragging Aguirre from the lot and into the street. He died instantly.
Homicide detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Division arrested Samuel Pinto, 36, on suspicion of homicide later that evening. On Jan. 23, the L.A. County district attorney filed murder charges against Pinto. His arraignment was postponed until Jan. 30.
Aguirre was the fourth child of seven brothers. Those who were close to Aguirre knew him as "Pancho." To his mother, he was "Panchito." For years Aguirre had been working odd jobs, including construction and car repair. Aguirre changed a few years ago after he began thinking about settling down and buying a house. He began assisting his mother and grandmother with routine tasks like paying bills and grocery shopping, according to his brother, Robert Ortiz. He attended more family functions as well. He started to save money and looked for a steady job so that he could marry his girlfriend, whom he had been with for eight years, Ortiz said. "He really turned a corner ... he was becoming a man," he added with a teary voice. "It was a beautiful thing to see."
Aguirre's family is seeking donations for funeral services.
-- Ruben Vives /LAT
Thanh "Hai" Gong, a 23-year-old Asian man, was shot multiple times at 10024 Valley Blvd. in El Monte at about 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. He was declared dead at the scene, according to Deputy Luis Castro of the sheriff's headquarters bureau.
 Mark Leonard, a 43-year-old black man, was shot multiple times in the 400 block of North Wilmington Avenue in Compton at about 6:15 p.m. Friday, Jan 18. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:44 p.m.
Artie Pullam, a 30-year-old black man, was shot to death at 10702 S. Grape St. in the Watts area at about 5:52 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. According to the coroner's report, Pullam was shot multiple times in the head and back.
Alejandro Palacio, a 33-year-old Latino man, was shot to death at 3611 West Bellevue Ave. in the Rampart area at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. His domestic partner, Delilah Acevedo, 26, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, said Officer Norma Eisenman of LAPD's media relations office. Officers with the Rampart Division responded to a shots-fired call and found Palacio in the bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head. He was declared dead at the scene. A handgun was recovered.
(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, Jan. 15-20, 2008.)
HR continues its survey of 2007 cases to update the archives on the blog.
So far, preliminary figures suggest that there were about 913 homicides recorded by the coroner in all of Los Angeles County during 2007. A final count is pending. Dozens of possible homicides or accidental deaths await a final determination, so it remains unclear how the countywide numbers will stack up. But if anything close to this figure holds, 2007 will end up being the least deadly year for homicide in a generation locally--not just within the city limits of Los Angeles, as The Times has recently reported--but throughout all of Los Angeles County, including areas policed by the Los Angeles County sheriff and police departments such as those in Inglewood, Huntington Park, Pomona and Pasadena.
Additionally, HR has now reviewed 570 homicide cases countywide being investigated by scores of police units. The average solve rate--the rate at which cases are cleared by the arrest of a suspect--is holding at about 39% countywide. The clearance survey continues.
Finally, the coroner's files indicate that more than 70 homicide cases are missing from the homicide report. HR is working to update its archives.
--Jill Leovy/LAT
The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the week of Jan. 7-14, 2008. HR is continuing to look into two homicides.
Charles Bonner, a 46-year-old black man, was stabbed in an alley between 52nd Place and 53rd Street off Main Street in South Central Los Angeles at about 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan 13. He died at the scene. Newton Homicide is investigating.
Sanders Rollins, 63, a black man, was killed in a drive-by shooting at 1234 Sherman Avenue in Monrovia at about 7:18 p.m. Sunday, Jan 13. Rollins was getting out of his vehicle when a light colored Honda Civic drove by and someone inside began shooting. Sanders was hit in the back and later transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8 p.m. The shooting was gang-related, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau. Anyone with information can call (323) 890-5500
Alfred McCullin, a 21-year-old Latino man, was fatally shot multiple times at 1111 Ravenna Ave. in Wilmington at about 12:20 p.m Sunday, Jan. 13. According to police he was approached by a Latino man was and shot. The motive for the shooting is unknown, authorities said.
Justino Torres, a 60-year-old Latino man, was walking to church in the 11800 block of South Figueroa St. at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, when a man approached and tried to rob him. Torres was shot once when he tried to ward off the attacker. Torres was also transported by ambulance to a local hopital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:04 a.m. Oscar Blanco, 22, was later arrested by detectives with the South Bureau Homicide.
Rosa Garcia, a 35-year-old Latina woman, was strangled to death in an alley near the 1500 block of West Florence Avenue in South Los Angeles at about 7:20 a.m. Sunday, Jan 13.
 Eron Mull, an 18-year-old young black man, was shot to death Saturday, Jan. 12, in West Los Angeles outside a nightclub called Level Ten near La Cienega Boulevard and Rosewood Avenue. A fight in the nightclub spilled into the parking lot of nearby Norm's restaurant, and a radio call went out to officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division, said Officer Norma Eisenman of LAPD's media relations office. Arriving at the scene about 11:15 p.m., officers heard gunfire from the alley, where they discovered Mull with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was declared dead at the scene. Eight people who tried to flee from the area were detained for questioning. One suspect is at large.
According to family members, Eron Mull was a Los Angeles City College student bound for Prairie View A&M University, where he planned to study electrical engineering. He had played the drums since early childhood and taught other music students in a summer band camp, and participated in a police-clergy council at LAPD's Newton Division. His mother said he was never in the nightclub; he was at a nearby restaurant. He was trying to draw other people away from the fight when he was killed.
Update: There has been an arrest in this case.
Wilson Rodriguez, an 18-year-old young Latino man, was fatally shot in an apparent gang-related killing in 1520 85th Street at 2:55 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:28 p.m. Rodriguez was outside talking to a child when a black man walked up and shot him at close range. Authorities say the shooter fled in a silver four-door vehicle.
Jose Carrillo, a 45-year-old Latino man, was found dead inside a hotel room at 14955 Roxford St. in Sylmar at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12. A housekeeper at the Countryside Inn Motel called 911 after finding Carillo's body, and fire department personnel declared him him dead at the scene. The Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Division investigated, and found evidence leading to the 14200 block of Calvert Street in Van Nuys, where police arrested two Latino male suspects: Armando Torrez, 23, and a 17-year-old teenager, who was not named. The motive for the killing is unclear, and police do not know why Carillo was at the hotel, said Lt. Wes Buhrmester of the Mission Division.
Kyong Lee, a 56 year-old Asian woman, was shot by her husband, Sang Ho Lee, 53, in the 2400 block of Joel Drive in Rowland Heights at about 7:20 a.m., Thursday Jan. 10. Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the area and discovered Lee and her 26-year-old daughter with gunshot wounds. Lee's husband was also found dead inside their condo. Lee was transported by ambulance to County-USC Medical Center, where she died a day later. Her time of death is listed as 7 p.m. Her daughter was said to be in stable condition.
The body of Yolanda Contreras, a 41-year-old Latina woman, was found inside a burning vehicle in the 300 block of Francisco Street in Carson at about 6 a.m. Friday Jan. 11. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies discovered the body , and called in paramedics, who pronounced her dead at 6:03 a.m. According to coroner's records, Contreras died from blunt force trauma to the face before she was burned.
Carlos Mocinos, 27, a Latino man, was shot to death at 5151 W. Pico Blvd in the area of LAPD's Wilshire Division at about 9:09 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10.
Jesse Ruiz, a 21-year-old Latino man, was shot in the 200 block of South Avenue 54 in Highland Park at about 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. Ruiz was one of six suspects involved in a home invasion robbery, said Det. Pjai Morris of LAPD's Northeast Division. An occupant living in the back of the house, who was armed, confronted the suspects and exchanged gunfire. Ruiz was hit once in the chest, then multiple times in the back. He was transported by car to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:38 p.m. Meanwhile, LAPD detectives were notified by Glendale police that a gunshot victim had arrived by car at the hospital. The vehicle matched the description of the one used in the Highland Park home robbery, and the driver and suspects were then arrested by Glendale officers.
Damaris Quiles, 35, a Latina woman, and her mother, Carmen Quiles, 73, were stabbed to death by Walter Garcia, 37, at about 8:45 a.m. in Tujunga Thursday, Jan. 10, in a double murder-suicide. Garcia was arguing with Demaris, and her mother, who lived with her at 6846 Quinton Lane, came outside to intervene. Garcia stabbed the two women then drove to Pasadena and jumped to his death from the Colorado Street Bridge. The mother was declared dead at the scene and Damaris was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:35 a.m., said Officer Karen Smith of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office. The couple had a 6-year-old son, who was at school at the time of the incident.
More in the Los Angeles Times story by Richard Winton and Greg Krikorian
Carmen Quiles, a 73-year-old Latina woman, is the second victim of the double homicide in Tujunga described above.
Fabian Mecina, a 15-year-old Latino youth, was shot at the intersection of Beach Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Inglewood at about 3.52 p.m Wednesday, Jan. 9. Mecina was walking on the sidewalk when a suspect approached him from behind and shot him with a shotgun. The suspect ran to a dark vehicle awaiting at a nearby parking lot and drove west on Beach Avenue. Mecina was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:47 p.m. Anyone with information can call the Inglewood police homicide section at (310) 412-5246 or the 24-hour anonymous hotline (888) 41-Crime
Mikko Brooks, 32, a black woman, was found dead inside her apartment at 9816 Park Street in Bellflower at 8:54 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports
Kristina Davis, a 24-year-old white woman, was discovered dead by the side of the road in the 4700 block of La Tuna Canyon Road in Sun Valley at about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. A group of people returning from a night of partying came upon her body, shot in the head, said Det. Patrick Barron of the Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill Station. The location, approximately a mile from the Foothill Freeway, appeared to have been the scene of the crime, police said. Anyone with information can call Foothill homicide detectives at (818) 834-3115.
Rodney Beverly, a 47 year-old black man, was stabbed to death at 1246 W. 68th Street in South Los Angeles at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. According to Officer Refugio Garza of the South Bureau Homicide, Beverly stumbled into a transitional housing center where he lived and collapsed. Beverly was transported to California Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m.
Ian Banton, 42, a black man, was found by police stabbed to death and lying in the street at 721 S. Myrtle Ave. in Inglewood. Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he died. Inglewood police investigators said Banton was walking on Myrtle when a man or youth pulled up, got out of a car, and started chasing him. Banton ran, but tripped and fell in the street. His attacker stabbed him, then sped away in the car.
Jose Avina, a 26-year-old Latino man, was found dead inside his Dodge Ram pickup truck near the intersection of 195th Street and Ely Avenue in Artesia about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Avina was slumped over the steering wheel when a parking enforcement officer discovered him, said Det. Joe Martinez of the Sheriff's Homicide bureau.
John Carlyon, 47, a white man, was stabbed to death at 1988 Landa St. in Echo Park at about 6:13 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7.
Juan Cisneros, a 21-year-old Latino man, was shot in the head and killed near the intersection of 165th Place and Menlo Avenue in Gardena Monday, Jan. 7. His time of death was recorded at 3:30 p.m. by Los Angeles County coroner's office.
(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, Jan 7-14, 2008)
The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the week of Jan. 1-6, 2008.
Florentino Ross-Rivera, a 16-year-old Latino youth, was shot in the 1500 block of Cedar Avenue in Long Beach around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6. A citizen flagged down a Long Beach patrol officer, who found Ross-Rivera on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. He was taken by the Long Beach Fire Department to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:50 p.m.
Monica Thomas-Harris, a 37-year-old black woman, was shot to death by her husband, Curtis "Keno" Harris, in a murder-suicide in Whittier on Saturday, Jan. 5. Police officers were sent to the Whittier Inn Motel at 11435 Whittier Blvd. at about 11:20 a.m. after employees reported seeing blood through the window of a room in the second floor. Thomas-Harris, a former West Covina resident, had been reported missing on Thursday, Jan. 3, by relatives. Whittier Daily News report.
More details in the Los Angeles Times from reporter Andrew Blankstein.
Sergio Serna, a 21-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed at 2601 Mozart St. in Lincoln Heights about 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5. Two other Latino men were also injured and taken to a local hospital by ambulance; one is in critical condition and the other is stable. A male suspect, Latino, was last seen running north on Mozart Street to an awaiting vehicle, according to LAPD officials. The suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a black bandana covering his face. Anyone with information can call Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives Smith or Marin at (323) 526-3679
 Jerry Flores, a 23-year-old Latino man, was shot near the intersection of Greenleaf Avenue and Reis Street at about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, in an unincorporated area of Whittier. Flores was taken by ambulance to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, where he died a few days later. According to the Whittier Daily News, Flores was returning from his girlfriend's house.
 Lester Lear, a 47-year-old white man, was shot and killed inside his home in the 10000 block of Rose Avenue at about 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. El Monte police officers responded to a call of a gunshot victim inside a home. Officers later learned that Lear had been shot by an armed, masked intruder, according to Deputy Johny Jones of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Isaac Smith, a 60-year-old black man, was found dead in an alley in the 1600 block of East 10th Street at about 11:56 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Long Beach Police officers responded to a call of a dead body in an alley and discovered Smith inside a 33-gallon plastic trashcan. Los Angeles County Coroner's office took possession of the body and trashcan and later reported that Smith had died from multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest. Anyone with information can call Long Beach Homicide Detectives David Rios or William K. Matsubara at (562)570-7244
Update: Long Beach Police homicide detectives have arrested Ryan Philip Ross, 33. He's accused of stabbing Smith to death. Ross was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tepic, near Puerto Vallarta, the Long Beach Press Telegram reported.
 Joseph Cosina, 19, a young Latino man, was shot in the parking lot of a nightclub at 1024 South Grand Ave. in downtown Los Angeles at 1:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4; he was taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:30 a.m. Police officials said an argument over a woman being stabbed in the arm escalated outside in the parking lot of the Crash Mansion club. Shots were fired and Cosina was hit in the heart. Two other men were also wounded. Both men and the woman were taken to the same hospital and were expected to recover.
Cosina, a graduate of Downey High School, was attending Cerritos Community College, studying business administration. Los Angeles Times story by Sam Quinones and Susannah Rosenblatt.
Update: Two Latino men were arrested within 28 hours of this homicide. Raul Urias, 19, the suspected shooter, faces murder charges; Ricardo Lamas, also 19, the suspected driver, faces an accessory count. LAPD Det. Doug Pierce said investigators believe Lamas lost a fight inside the club, and his friend Urias arrived to back him up. Urias fired at Cosina perhaps because he thought Cosina was part of the group Lamas had been fighting; he wasn't.
Glen Boldware, a 47-year-old black man, was shot to death by an LAPD officer in the 1800 block N. Sawtelle Blvd in West Los Angeles about 2:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Officer Peter Mah was patrolling the area in an unmarked car when he noticed Boldware, who allegedly was stealing from a lumber yard. Mah followed Boldware as he drove north on Sawtelle Boulevard and when he noticed he was being followed; Boldware stopped his car, stepped out and walked up to Mah's car carrying a lighter that looked like a small-caliber pistol. Boldware was shot several times and died instantly. Los Angeles Times by Paloma Esquivel.
(The LAPD initially described Boldware as holding a gun.)
Hermenegildo Huitron, a 35-year-old Latino man, was shot to death at 911 Milwaukee Ave. in Highland Park about 8 p.m Thursday, Jan.3. The suspect drove up to Huitron and shot him several times in the chest, head and right arm. Officers with the LAPD's Northeast Division responded to a shots-fired call in the area and discovered Huitron on the street with gunshot wounds. This was the second homicide of the new year and it was gang-related, according to Officer April Harding of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office.
Davion Childs, 17, a black youth, was shot in the 15700 block of South Tarrant Ave. in Gardena at 6:04 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3. This was a drive-by shooting in an unincorporated area patrolled by the Compton sheriff's station. Childs, a resident of Compton, was visiting a friend when someone in a dark-colored vehicle drove up and shot him. Deputies responded to a shots-fired call and discovered Childs bleeding on the porch of a house. Childs was taken to UCLA-Harbor hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead. His time of death was recorded at 6:53 p.m. The shooting was gang-related, said Det. Charles Morales of the sheriff's homicide bureau. Morales said another black man was wounded by gunfire and was also taken to the same hospital, where he recovered.
 Jason Grey, a 29-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1. LAPD officers with the Northeast Division responded to a shots-fired call in the area, but later learned that the shooting had taken place inside the cemetery. Glendale police and paramedics, who also responded, were on the scene shortly before LAPD arrived. The cemetery, at 1712 S. Glendale Ave., straddles the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles. This is the first homicide of the new year for Los Angeles and is being ruled as gang-related, according to Det. Percy (Pjai) Morris. More details in the Los Angeles Times.
Jonathan Fernandez, a 25-year-old Latino man, was shot in the head in the 1900 block of Pine Avenue in Long Beach at about 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he later died. His time of death was recorded at 11:15 a.m. Three other people were also shot and taken to the hospital; one is in critical condition. According to Long Beach police officials, Fernandez was among a group of people celebrating the new year in the backyard of a house. A suspect shot Fernandez and at the crowd, then fled. Anyone with information can call (562) 570-7244 Los Angeles Times story by Tiffany Hsu
Update: Long Beach Police have arrested Glenn Cox, 21, and two youths; a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old on suspicion of murder. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Officer filed one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, and a gang enhancement charge against Cox and the 17-year-old youth. All three have been documented as gang members.
(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, Jan 1-6, 2008.)
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The Los Angeles County Coroner's Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a Latino man who was stabbed to death, said Craig Harvey, chief coroner investigator. The man's body was found 25 feet south of the eastbound 118 Freeway, just west of De Soto Street in the Porter Ranch area about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. He was approximately 5 feet 8 inches, between the ages of 18 to 24, and was wearing blue button-fly jeans, a gray shirt, a blue jacket, brown work boots and a yellow metal ring with three clear stones. 
This list is compiled using information from the Los Angeles County Coroner, local law enforcement agencies, and the Los Angeles Times.