Carlos Edwin Arevalo, 22

Carlos Edwin Arevalo, 22, a Latino man, was killed in an officer-involved shooting at 3411 Loosmore St. in Cypress Park at about 6: 25 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29. Police said the shooting occurred when police officers Mario Gallegos, Joshua Kniss and Jason Schwab from LAPD's Metropolitan Division were patrolling the area in an unmarked vehicle. As officers approached Pleasant View Street they saw two men, Carlos Edwin Arevalo, 22, and Moises Mora, standing behind a parked vehicle. Arevalo ran from the officers after they stopped near the two men to investigate. Schwab chased after Arevalo on foot to the rear side of the residence where the officer-involved shooting occurred. Arevalo was shot in the left side of the upper back and right hip. He was transported to County-USC hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m. A .45 caliber pistol was recovered at the scene, police said.

Comments

[Cypress Park Citizen]

And yet, we have another murdered young Hispanic man in our already grieving community. Thanks for your once again under achieving work Northeast LAPD! Again you live up to your motto. "shoot first, and ask questions laters" And then after, you ask for identification. Great work guys. Again forgetting where the nucleus of the dilemma lies: Drew Street!

[former cypress park citizen]

The officer involved shooting occured when the suspect turned on officers while holding a loaded handgun. Thats not murder, thats self defense. When a suspect turns with a loaded weapon in has hand there is no time to ask him questions. Instead of questioning the police officers actions why don't you question as to why the suspect was carrying a gun. The nucleus of the dilemma does not neccessarily lie only on Drew street, but within the entire Northeast Area.

[TF]

Are you serious "Cypress Park Citizen"? Another armed youth that gets shot by the police, and its the LAPD"S fault? Why not place the blame where it belongs? THE ARMED FOOL!!!!!

[Confused...]

CP citizen I think you missed the part that they recovered a gun from him..... I'm not congratulating the officers actions but what are you going to say if it was the other way around?????

[Joe]

I knew Carlos very well and I will miss him dearly. He was a great father to his son, who is now left to fend for himself in this world. He was an "A" student at L.A. Trade Tech and a dedicated worker for his employee. He was so proud of his academic work - he emailed me a copy of his report card and I called him a "nerd." I last spoke with him two days before his tragic death and he was happy and content. He was getting on with his life, he didn't deserve this. I just wanted everyone to know that I knew Carlos as a caring and loving young man - and my heart hurts because of his death.

[James]

I dont see how you can blame the police if the guy had a gun then he made his choice and got whatwas coming to him.

[BruceWilson]

I live in Atlant,Ga...I ck out this site out of some macabre fascination..I think you know what I mean.. I am amazed that our culture hasn't been more outraged at what goes on in your community..If someone is shot here..which happens quite a bit..there are marches and investigations..and civil rights leaders on the news..we dont have the gangs you all have..IS THAT YOUR REASON...you all should have Gov Arnold bring in the NATIONAL GUARD..I love CA and dont go in these areas...but I would think you all would be more outraged Bruce in Atlanta

[David]

Shouldn't be running around with a gun, pointing it at police officers regardless of race or community.

[Confused & Concerned]

So here's the real story. I knew the individual who was with Carlos before he was shot and killed. The police pulled up in an unmarked car, lights off. They thought it was a drive by and this is why they both ran. Carlos was running for his life just before it was taken from him. Did he really have a gun? He was shot in the back. Does that sound like an attack to you? Was he running at the officer or away from the officer? Questions that need to be answered before we judge. The individual who was with Carlos was arrested for obstructing justice. Justice??? I'm assuming because he was also running for his life or was it because he was shouting at the police for them to help his friend! Is that an obstruction of justice? Carlos, his family and friends are victims of circumstance!

[WITNESS]

Let the truth be known! Carlos May have ran but never pointed gun at officers. Under cover Metro PD never identified there selfs as PD. I beliave there should be a investigation before you guys start judging him bad!

[NELA resident]

the 3rd homicide in Cypress Park in 3 weeks...

[buz]

I have never run from the police or disobeyed a request from an officer when I have been pulled over. I also have never pointed a gun or knife at an officer. Maybe you should follow my lead.

[SAMMIE]

WOW I GREW UP IN CYPRESS PARK AND I HAVE ALOT OF MY FRIENDS GET KILLED DUE TO THE GANG VIOLENCE I TO WAS SHOT AT NOT ONLY ONCE BUT I STRAIGHTED OUT MY LIFE AS MANY OF YOU ALL WHO WERE GANG MEMBERS HAVE. BUT KNOW THAT ITS THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE THAT CAUSES MORE PAIN. WE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM MAKE THEM AWARE OF USING THEIR RIGHTS TO PROTEST AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE BRINGIN OUT THEIR GIFTS ART, MUSIC,POETRY, WHAT EVER GIFT THEY HAVE WE AS PARENTS AND CITIZENS NEED TO GET THE NEIGHBOR HOOD TOGETHER HELP EACH OTHER WHEN YOU SEE THAT LITTLE BOY NOW GROWING UP IN THE STREETS AND BEGINING TO BECOME A CHOLO WE NEED TO STEP IN AND TALK AND SHOW THEM THAT WE CARE FOR THEM AND SHOW THEM THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN EASY MONEY BY SELLING DRUGS, ROBBING, RAPING, KILLING WE NEED TO CARE ITS TIME TO UNITE AND PUT A STOP TO THIS BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS TO ALL THOSE MOMS /DADS WHO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN TO BE BAD ASSES YOU SHOW THEM TO DEAL DRUGS AND YOU ENCOURAGE THEM INTO YOUR WAYS YOU WILL REEP WHAT YOU SOW YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT CHILD HE KNOWS NO BETTER GET OFF WELFARE, GET A JOB, AN EDUCATION AND BEGIN TO REALLY LIVE THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN BEING IN THE VARRIO MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE GUYS CHILDREN WIFE AND PARENTS I DONT KNOW IF I KNOW HIM I MIGHT BUT I HAVE LOSS ALOT OF DEAR LOVED ONES TO THIS GANG VIOLENCE UNITE UNITE UNITE ITS TIME TO TAKE BACK THE STREETS OF CYPRESS PARK....

[CYPRESS PARK CITIZEN.]

I call it murder!

[Cypress Park Teen]

I have a few friends in the "cypress park" gang and its sad to say I'm waiting for the call that something happened to them. No I'm not a gangster / troubled youth. I stray away from that stuff as much as I can. Its sad that Cypress Park has become even more violent these last couple weeks. Yeah you would occasionally hear a helicopter or a cop car speed by but now its gotten to the point where every week somethings happening and I dont even feel safe walking to the store. I'm sure you might think I dress like a gangster which is why I dont feel safe but I'm far from hat. I'm a typical "rocker" kid. I would never dream that I'd have a gun pulled on me. A few months ago my friends and I we're having a small birthday party at one of my friends house and we were outside when a van pulls up and asked us where we were from. I was mind boggled. A group of 4 "rocker" kids standing in the yard and being questioned for being in a gang? Well needless to say they opened fire and shot one of my friends. This happened on the corner of Merced and Aragon. My friend survived but still no one is safe anymore. This is ridiculous. I've known the "youngsters" who have become members of the Cypress Park gang since I was little so I'm never worried that somethings going to happen to me from the cypress park gang. I've also had an older brother who was in the gang and knew the man who was shot on the corner of aragon and roseview a few weeks ago. Anyways it just doesn't feel safe anymore, this is ridiculous and has to stop. I understand Edwin was running not knowing it was police who pulled up. I've done the same. I've had the feeling to turn around and run when a car pulls up driving real slow but the fact that he had a gun was his mistake. I think I've written enough. I just think this has to be stopped and dealt with.

[Jim]

I've been following the tragic violence that has occurred in the northeast area, being that i live in S. Pasadena im a bit concerned. I am saddened by all the recent shootings involving police , especially when they shoot at suspects without identifying themselves first. "Where are you from?" suspect who just had his buddy riddled with 17 BULLETS a week earlier is probably thinking "this is it" NEVER knowing the perps who asked him that doomed question was an LAPD officer and not an Avenues member...BANG... Hope this helps....

[Jim]

I've been following the tragic violence that has occurred in the northeast area, being that i live in S. Pasadena im a bit concerned. I am saddened by all the recent shootings involving police , especially when they shoot at suspects without identifying themselves first. "Where are you from?" suspect who just had his buddy riddled with 17 BULLETS a week earlier is probably thinking "this is it" NEVER knowing the perps who asked him that doomed question was an LAPD officer and not an Avenues member...BANG... Hope this helps....

[Esfuerzo]

It's sad to witness so much senseless violence in our neighborhood. What's worse is that everyone is so quick to point the finger and blame someone else. We as parents, as members of the community need to come together and find real solutions to this dilema. I know Cypress Park is a working class community and we all work to provide for our family, but that's not enough. We need to get involved in the lives of our children, and help to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. Instill good values in our kids and encourage them to stay in school. We also need to put the pressure on City Hall & LAPD to help bring about change to Cypress Park and surrounding communities through positive resources and not more bloodshed. How many more will we have to bury before we see an end to all this madness.

[ESFUERZO]

A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENT IS NEEDED BEFORE IT FADES AWAY AS A MERE GANG RELATED SHOOTING. WHY DIDN'T METRO PD OFFICERS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS WITNESSES CLAIM? WAS A HANDGUN REALLY RECOVERED AT THE SCENE? THE LAPD SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO PROTECT LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO HELP STOP THE SENSELESS KILLING, BUT AS USUAL THEY MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS AND ADD YET ANOTHER STATISTIC TO THE LIST. ITS FUNNY HOW WHEN THERES A CALL INVOLVING SHOT FIRED IT TAKES THE POLICE A WHILE TO GET HERE, BUT WHEN IT INVOLVED 1 OF THERE OWN THEY WERE HERE IN THE BLINK OF ANY EYE...WITH 2 HELICOPTERS AND A SMALL ARMY THAT LITERALLY CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK.

[Freedom Fighter]

Really? Is this what makes our streets safer? Gunning down young men BEFORE they show any weapon to us? Just because they are running? Wow...I'm frightened now to run down a street...a cop might shoot me in the back. Oh wait, but I'm white and a woman...never mind! I'm safe, then! Is this what protects our freedom? I don't think so! tragic...if Edwin Arevalo was one of my students, I would be at city hall right now filing complaint after complaint on his behalf...I hope his family and friends will fight!

[TF]

Esfuerzo, Do you know that perhaps the LAPD was protecting the community that day? Did you forget that that young man had a GUN??? Its amazing that I grew up in Highland Park , and I NEVER walked the streets with a handgun; therefore I NEVER had a confrontation with an LAPD officer! Oh wait, thats called common sense! People make terrible choices every day and if one choices to carry a firearm or join a gang, there is often a severe price to pay. Blame the person who made those choices not the LAPD.

[Cesar Serrano]

Who is to blame for a young man carrying a gun in a neighborhood. Am I missing something. If he was carrying a gun, then shame on him. First of all LAPD Metro Officer's are a little reckless. I used to work with a Police Agency and I have alway's heard of them being like a death squad. They shoot now and ask questions later. Look at Macarthur Park. The Matro Squad is essentially the SWAT Team. They are considered to be the best in Los Angeles. I don't know many details of the shooting. But it sounds like they did not identify themselves quickly enough to let him know they were the Police. Whether they did or not is in dispute. Who's word do you think they are gonna take. His friend! He was a gangster running from them. Let's be realistic. I understand the situation they were in. Split decision making. Is it gonna be his life or my mine. I think the LAPD needs to check a little better at what there so called elite Metro Squad is up too. I am afraid of them and I am starting to lose my Respect for the Police. SOrry, time are changing
1.Suspect or (Victim) should not be carrying a gun.
2. LAPD needs to train it's Officer a little better

[Ben]

I"m a former resident of Cypress Park...since I can remember gang violence has been going on since the 70's it calms down for a while but then it escalates again. I've read about how we can stop gang violence by exposing teenagers to culture and education and others feel civil rights leaders and politicians need to get involved...these are all good things but these are only "bandages" to the problem. The core problem of all these incidents is "SIN" The only solution to mankind's depravity is coming to know Jesus Christ. I'm an example of growing up in this neighborhood and going through all the madness but one day coming to know I was a sinner in need of a Saviour my Lord Jesus. My life has been radically changed I am now an Evangelist in the state of Texas and I travel the prisons to preach the gospel to men who are lost and without hope. I challenge every christian who reads this to pray for Los Angeles..pray for revival to spread throughout this great city.

[ESFUERZO]

TF, LAPD may have been trying to "protect" the community, but the fact remains that there lack of training led to the death of another young man. I grew up in Cypress Park and you don't need to carry a gun to have a confrontation with the police, much less be a gangbanger. Given the recent outbreak of violence, What you would do if someone pulled up in a car with the lights off and asked you "Where you from?" without Identifying themselves? Wouldn't you run? Wouldn't you try to protect yourself?...Bottom line is the situation could have been handled a better way.

[CP Native]

Born/Raised/Lived in CP for 25+ years. Have moved out since to La Canada where my biggest fear is running into a deer/coyote/mountain lion at night(no longer getting shot at by some LOSER cholo) and the most annoying noise at night is the SILENCE (not the helipcopters, gunshots, sirens). Even, then I still commute to CP almost daily for family reasons. I see this guy's memorial every time I drive down the street. I would catch a glimpse of Salas memorial on Aragon as I kept driving down the street. Nothing has changed in my lifetime. This is not surprising or shocking to me. It's a way of life.

You don't hang out at night. Don't drive slowly on the streets, especially near the cholo houses. Avoid driving late at night or walking the streets at night.

No God, no politician, no cop, no city hall can change this. The people in this community are too scared of retalitation to stand up for themselves and demand change. People go inside their houses, lock their doors, and let the world go by. For the most part, people can get away with this, although fear is still a factor. People in this community need empowerment. The question is how and when? For example, how can we as a community demand an investigation on Arevalo's death? I don't hear about any community organization. I don't hear about a march. This is not South LA.

(By the way, what happened at Drew/Estara was not 10 blocks away. In CP relevance, it is a world away. CP and that area is even separated by the 2 freeway. )

[anonynous]

I knew the young man personally. The cops where wrong for shooting and killing him and its sad that there will not be any justice for him.

[It is what it is]

CP Native,
AWESOME input. I especially like the 'some loser CHOLO' phrase. Growing up in the projects, gang members wear the title 'gangster' or 'cholo' with pride. Maybe we should start refering to them as LOSERS. Gang Member=LOSER, Gangster=LOSER, Cholo=LOSER.

[CYPRESS PARK WAS MY HOMETOWN.....]

I PERSONALLY NEVER MET OR EVEN KNEW CARLOS, BUT I DO HAVE FRIENDS THAT WHERE RELATED TO HIM IN WHICH ALL MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THEM AND HIS FAMILY. I KNOW HE LEFT A SON BEHIND THAT WILL NOW GROW UP WITHOUT A FATHER, THAT IS REALLY SAD. I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, WHY CARLOS IS NOW IN HEAVEN, BUT FROM WHAT I READ IN THIS ARTICLE I DONT BELIEVE THAT CARLOS HAD A WEAPOND WITH HIM AND IF HE EVEN DID I DONT THINK THAT HE TRIED USING IT TO DO ANY HARM TO THE POLICE BECAUSE IF THE COPS ARE SAYING THAT THEY SHOT HIM N KILLED HIM TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM HIM THEN I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY HE GOT SHOT IN THE BACK, THAT ONLY MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT HE WAS RUNNING TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM THE POLICE...I AM CONFUSE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT COPS ARE THE ONES THAT PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY NOT THE ONES THAT LOOK FOR INNOCENT PEOPLE AND END UP EITHER HURTING THEM OR KILLING THEM. I THINK THAT IF HE EVEN TRIED HURTING THE POLICE WHY SHOOT HIM TO THE POINT WHERE YOU END UP KILLING HIM N NOT JUST SHOOT HIM IN THE LEG OR SOME WHERE ELSE TO WHERE THE PERSON DOESN'T END UP R.I.P...I REALLY HOPE THAT CARLO'S FAMILY SPEAK OUT AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MATTER AND INVESTIGATE HOW EVERYTHING REALLY WAS INSTEAD OF LETTING THE POLICE GET AWAY WITH MURDER BECAUSE IT SADDENS ME TO KNOW THAT COPS ARE JUST KILLING PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY LOOK SUSPICIOUS AND RUN FROM THEM...INSTEAD OF GOING OUT THERE AND PROTECTING INNOCENT PEOPLE LIKE CARLOS FROM MURDERERS, RAPIST, REAL CRIMINALS. I JUST DONT KNOW IF I CAN REALLY TRUST THE POLICE TO PROTECT ME FROM CRIMINALS ANYMORE OR IF I HAD TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM THE POLICE. I SEE THAT THE POLICE IS REALLY NOT DOING THERE BEST IN PROTECTING THE CYPRESS PARK COMMUNITY. I WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN CYPRESS PARK FOR 17 YEARS OF MY LIFE AND THINGS WHERE NOT AS BAD AS THEY ARE NOW. MY PARENTS DECIDED TO GET OUR FAMILY OUT OF THAT COMMUNITY AND I SEE THAT THEY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE IN DOING SO BECAUSE NOW EVERYTHING IN CYPRESS PARK IS JUST GETTING WORSE.

[Kel]

boy for not knowing him and not knowing the situation you sure to have a lot of nothing to say. Gun, run dead...my kind of police officer, my kind of department. Bad thing his family will sue and get money...come to think of it blood money. But his family will be happy. Kind of evens everything out would you say? Oh yeah, you don't know him so you don't have much to say.

[TF]

ESFUERZO, we agree to disagree. Like I mentioned previously, I also grew up in a pretty bad area (Highland Park) and I was stopped numerous times by the LAPD. The minute i saw them, I knew they were cops and not guys from the AVENUES! You really cant expect anyone to believe that excuse, can you?

As far as Carlos Arevalo's death, some have questioned that because he was shot in the back; it was a bad shooting by the police. Has anyone not seen a person shoot or point a gun while running? The bottom line is that This person had a gun and he paid with his life while commiting a crime! Yes ESFUERZO, carring a handgun is a crime even in Cypress Park!

[T.F]

CYPRESS PARK WAS MY HOMETOWN, your comments are absurd and pathetic! Did you stop and think that because Carlos Arevalo had a firearm; this led to his death? carrying a firearm is a crime and the LAPD was protecting the LAW-ABIDING citezens of that community! Because Carlos Arevalos made a poor decision, why not blame everyone else but Carlos. By the way, the only people who run from the police are those who are wanted or those who have something on them (guns, drugs etc.); they simply do not want to go to jail.

Dont you find it odd that while growing up in Highland Park, I never ran from the police, carried a weapon or had any type of violent confrontation with them. Do you know what thats called CYPRESS PARK WAS MY HOMETOWN? Its something you do not possess; COMMON SENSE.

Do you really expect for the police to shoot at an arm or a leg , while the suspect is shooting at them?? That part of your statement brought me tears of laughter!

[Realityman]

How about reality. The post I have read in this blog are absurd.
To think for one minute that police are as corupt as you think and to believe in your minds that they drive around and say to themselves hey look down the street is a cholo or gangster over there (and of course a minority). Lets sneak up on him with our lights off so he will start running then we can shoot him in the back. Oh and don't forget to get the stolen gun that was stolen from a person that lives in an area 20 miles from the area, so that we can plant it on the guy we are about to shoot for no reason. If you truly believe this happens everytime a gangster or minority is shot by Police, you need to face reality or get a prescription for paranoia.

[CYPRESS PARK CITIZEN.]

knowing the person that was walking with carlos he didn't have a gun thats why they started running for there lives when a car with there lights off stops in front of you and plain clothes oficers jump out i think i would do the same!!

[former resident of CXP]

To you so called, "residents of CXP ",--- get your heads out of your asses! If its brod daylight, or night time, and you see a car approching you suspiciously( UNMARKED CAR NOT A POLICE CAR-- OR BLACK AND WHITE!) you better RUN!--- Because even innocent people get killed by cowards! My brother Marcos R.I.P wasnt caring a gun! He was caring his GRANDDAUGHTER! On his way to pick my niece from school and he got killed by cowards. So dont be fu###n ignorent!!

[North Hollywood]

Interesting!

I just checked the Sherrifs Department Inmate information (on-line), Moises Mora is being charged with a felony. The sherriffs department is not listing where he is being housed. Is this a coinsidence or what??? I am sadden at the possibility that these two individuals were running for their lives and never had intentions to hurt anyone. Yeah I know, no one should be carrying a gun under any circumstances but let me tell you; that does not give any under paid, over worked, cheating cop....the right to chase someone down while pointing a gun at them. I hope that family, friends and the community unite and have this situation investigated. Cops too often get away with mistakes.

[anonymous]

There are so many misspelled words on here. No wonder people think we are so ignorant. We can't even spell words like "later, gaurd, or even weapon." Looks like dropping out of continuation school didn't help too much guys.

[CRYSTAL]

R.I.P CISKO KIDD WE LOVE AND MISS U....

[martin]

To the poster named "Ben":

I respect your beliefs but you're ignorant if you think a person can't have good moral fortitude unless they believe the same things you do. I'm an atheist and I'm also a good, upstanding citizen that wouldn't even cut in line in front of someone. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

[concerned citizen]

Instead of helping your community and support the police you bash on them for trying to make it better place. First of all when there is a gun pointed at you, your not going to tell him/her to put the gun down. Your going to be shot and the suspect will run free and possibly shoot and kill again. Gangsters are out there and they will continue to roam the earth like roaches lurking in the night and citizens continue to support them and not the police...what a shame

It doesnt matter if you are black, white or blue, male, female or an animal. If you point a gun at a cop or any one for that matter you will be shot or stopped.

Its sad to see taht an educator like yourself would have that mindset. The police dont shoot people just because your running or dressed funny.

How quick people are to judge the police because the suspect had a gun pointed at them or at an innocent person. You should be upset because we do not have enough police on the streets and why out tax dollars are being spent on this consent decree. I heard its millions of dollars....

[Stephanie Morales]

Missing my cousin!!!

[kvOtIk]

R.I.P CARLOS (CiSKo)

WE MISS YOU KIDD..!