He was going places

Antwan Cole, 19, "loved people," said his grandmother, Everlean Cole.

The grandmother, 67, recalled the day he tried to assist a homeless woman on his way home. The woman was struggling with a shopping cart, and her grandson tried to help. But the woman refused and nearly hit him, Everlean said. Two police officers pulled over to investigate. He told them he was just trying to help. "I said, 'Baby, sometimes you just can't help some strangers," Everlean Cole said. She said Antwan's response was: "'I know. But, Granny, she was struggling so hard.'"

Antwan Cole was shot at about 11 p.m. on Friday, Feb 8. He had just finished his shift as a security guard at the Unocal 76 facility off Broadway and 135th in Athens, and was waiting at a bus stop nearby. He had been taking the bus since losing his driver's license due to parking tickets, his grandmother said. As he waited, he chatted on his cellphone with his 18-year-old cousin. He told his cousin a car had passed him and was turning around. The call ended shortly after.

Paramedics transported Antwan to a local hospital, where he later died a few minutes after midnight.

Antwan was one of five children. His grandmother took custody of him when he was 6 years old. He had  graduated from Westchester Senior High School, where he played football until he ruptured his rotator cuff. He was enrolled in English at L.A. Trade Tech and wanted to become a sports commentator, his grandmother said. 

He loved sports, she said. "He could tell you everything from high school, to college, to professionals; all of it," she said. He was a loyal Lakers fan. Everlean Cole recalled telling him she thought Kobe Bryant hogged the ball too much. Antwan wouldn't hear anything against him. "You've got to give Kobe time, Granny; he's just a good player," her grandson would say. He tried to get his cousin, Trevalle Cole, 12, into playing football. He and Trevalle would do push-ups, sit-ups, and lift weights together. Friends said he liked to debate a range of topics. "I'll miss our debates," a friend wrote on his memorial poster.

A few years ago, Antwan Cole had been shot at, but survived, his grandmother said. He and a friend had stopped at Burger King on their way to work. Inside the restaurant a group of young men kept staring at them. At the intersection of 108th Street and Western Avenue, nearby, the same group of men pulled up next to them and began shooting, she said. Cole gunned his car, pulled over, and ran with his friend. Neither of them were hit.

At a vigil at the bus stop on Tuesday, Feb. 12, a woman from across the street walked over to offer condolences. She told Everlean Cole she had been there the night of the shooting. Antwan had kept saying,"oh no, not again," she said.

At his funeral, people packed the Simpson's Family Mortuary in Inglewood. Several stood behind the white double doors, a few peeked through a diamond glass panel to get a glimpse of the service inside. Those who couldn't get in waited on the steps of the church. As people lined up to view Cole's body, several broke down. Others waited until they got outside and screamed. A few struggled to breathe from crying as they walked down the stairs of the church and into the parking lot.

"They destroyed a beautiful life," Everlean said. Her grandson, she said, "was going places."

A bonfire was held at Dockweiler beach Saturday, Feb. 16, to celebrate Cole's 20th Birthday. Family and classmates from Westchester and L.A. Trade Tech attended the event.

--Ruben Vives/LAT 

Top to bottom: Antwan Cole. Trevalle's memory of Antwan. Coles memorial shrine. More farewells. 

Comments

[A Mother]

My prayers and sympathy go out to the family and friends of this young man.

Its seems that we are in a never ending cycle of senseless and cowardly murders. Communities are going to have to start taking action. It could be you or your loved one next and by the same cowards. They are counting on people not turning them in. As long as people continue to keep silent they are going to continue this behavior.

[Derrick]

Another senseless murder of a young black male minding his own business. I guess you can't catch the bus after dark in the Athens district. I did not know anything about this homicide until I read about it today.

[ex1sizzle]

Truly a sad story... But he is in a better place now...

[I am so sorry for your loss]

Ma'am, I am so sorry for your loss. These kids today don't understand that they are in satan's camp and that he is using them because he wants to take as many of them with him as he can! I will keep your family in prayer and just know that the Lord will strengthen you. Be encouraged.

[Ken]

First of all my sincere sympathy goes out to the Family & Love Ones of this young man. I'm tired of hearing about young men (Black or Latino) being murdered in the Los Angeles area. To the LAPD, LASD...1) these murdering gangbangers should be refered and/or labeled as homeland "terrorist", 2) more live video cameras around city 3) perhaps you guys should purchase more unmarked police cars to assist with all the crime in this area. 4) enforce the "No tent On Windows" law that already exist.

[TERRANCE HANKINS]

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY.

[Justice!]

I am keeping in prayer that the perp will be caught. One such offender has already been caught in the Arlington Heights case and I suspect that it will not be long before this perp too is brought to justice for his senseless and heartless crime.
Trust God ... He is still sitting on the throne and working this out!
Blessings to the family.

[TB]

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU EVERY DAY! BIG FEET, BIG HEART, BIG APPETITE! I REMEMBER YOU EATING THAT BIG BOWL OF SPAGHETTI WHEN YOU WENT WITH US ON A TRIP TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. I REMEMBER YOU AND DD COMING HOME FROM WORK AT THE PIER. I ALWAYS FELT SHE WAS SAFE WITH YOU ON THE BUS BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS SAID, " I DON'T BOTHER NOBODY, THEY SHOULDN'T BOTHER ME." THE COWARD(S) WHO SHOT YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT TAKE A INNOCENT PERSON WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO SO MAY PEOPLE. I GUESS THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THUGS THAT NIGHT. SO THEY PICKED ON A PEACEFUL PERSON. SO MANY TIMES I WOULD TELL YOU BE CAREFUL WALKING HOME ON MAIN STREET, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD HAPPEN THAT FAR AWAY DOWN MAIN IN AN AREA THAT LOOKED FAR SAFER THAN WHERE YOU GREW UP. I HAVE BEEN CRYING SINCE I HEARD OF YOUR DEATH, AND READING THIS ARTICLE I HAVE BEEN CRYING AGAIN. I KNOW YOU'RE SAFE AND SOUND. PROBABLY IN HEAVEN PLAYING FOOTBALL OR PLAYSTATION, BUT WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW YOU'RE SAFE, BUT IT'S STILL SUCH A HUGE LOSS. I WASN'T YOUR REAL AUNT, BUT YOU WERE JUST LIKE ONE OF MY KIDS OR NEPHEWS. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS!

[cheryl]

what a beautiful young man i am so truly sorry for your loss my son was murdered 10-2-06 3 days before his 19th birthday i created a memorial site for him at memory-of.com his name is ernest n. crayton lll i know how it hurts so bad when you have a child who you know was going to be somebody and never would let you down as a parent to have some monster come along and take him away is a cold thing to this man's family keep praying to god and he shall answer your prayers god bless you and may this beautiful young man rest in peace, from a heart broken mom.

[Beauty4Ashes]

I know some say He is in a better place, but we need young men like him here on earth with us. To be an example, to be a good man, a good father, a good employee, a good anything. I dont know him, this was never mentioned in the news, there are so many, my heart just breaks. God bless his grandmother. Please pray, all you, pray with all your hearts, plead the blood of Jesus over your families, over strangers, over this CIty.

[BobbieM]

Words cannot convey the power of my feelings. I mourn the loss of this life. I grieve for the family. I will not forget this young man.

[vix's]

I'm sorry for your lost and my hart goes out to the family.

[Ms. C]

I had Antwan as a student when he was a freshman in high school. I just saw a report tonight and saw a picture of Antwan. What a beautiful boy taken from this earth. My prayers go out to friends and family. He touched my life and I will never forget him for that.

[Dion & Robin Miles, Sr.]

We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our son, Dion Miles, Jr. was killed 2 weeks before his 20th birthday in a senseless shooting on June 13, 2007. The only good thing that came out of this was that they did catch the killer who is now serving time for murder as of March 12, 2008.

There is a War going on right on the streets of Los Angeles. We pray that someone out there is watching and listening and will declare war on these animals that are killing our children and our loved ones.

We pary that the killer will be caught and that Antwan can rest in peace and that the family may find some comfort.

God Bless,

Dion & Robin Miles, Sr.

[Neisha]

I didn't know Antwan, but I'm so saddened to hear about what happened to him. I just wanted to let the family know that my cousin was an innocet victim of a drive by shooting in broad daylight and the detectives working on the case never notified any family.. My cousin had his cell phone on him too and his car was also registered in his name... I know that it is hard and each day you will ask yourself why.. May the love of those around you, and Antwans loving and warm spirit help you through the days ahead. I also thank you for standing up for UNITY within all the agencies and i will keep you in my prayers.

[Ashley]

Today I saw another murder at the intersection of 108th and western. This needs to stop. I send prayers out to both of the families.