Ricardo Rivera Jr., 18

Ricardo Rivera Jr., 18, a young Latino man, was fatally shot at about 9:15 p.m. in the 300 block of East 80th Street in South-Central Los Angeles Thursday, March 13. Rivera was standing on the driveway when a 13-year-old youth approached and allegedly shot him. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced Rivera dead at the scene. Police later arrested the 13-year-old youth on suspicion of murder that day. He was booked at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Detectives said the pair had quarreled the previous day. Rivera's family described him as a happy young man who was contemplating going back to school. His mother made a point of expressing deep gratitude to the witnesses who had cooperated with the police investigation. "Thank them in my name," she told a reporter. Right, his niece wears a memorial T-shirt.

Comments

[A Fan of the representative from California - Ruben]

Ruben if I were you I'd interview this child and investigate his life for inspection by this blog. How does a 13 year old bring himself to murder? We all want to know the details, not for condemnation but what 'energies' exist in the life of a "Barrio Murderer," particularly a youth who should be out swimming or playing basketball and chasing down some revengeful emotions.

[Aaron]

sheer stupidity is not difficult to analyze.

[kim smith]

well now if this is'nt the damnest and the saddess of them of. people we must realize we are in the last days that are holy bible tells us. my heart felt sympathy goes out to the parents of this 13 year old you must be the most embarrassed to even want to go outside and take your trash outside your child made this heartless decision because of you both and what's going on inside your home it's to late for correction on him because trust the department of corrections is going to correct him alright and if not the BIG BOYS inside are going to have a field day you might as well say he's definately going to be a bottom cause theres no guns in htere to shoot back and fight back not him he was a coward in the beginning to even pull the trigger so that's out. to the family of the decease i pray for your lost that the Lord Jesus strengthen you as i know youre still in dismay of this entire ordeal. pray and ask for inner strength to help you through and also for the family of this child that took the life of your love one pray for his parents and family because their is most definately something wrong with in their household.

[joshua]

this kid needs some legal help a.s.a.p. something is not right here. why would a 13 year old boy kill a 20 year oldman? we do need details and a little bit more on this kid. there has to be something going on. please can we get more info on this?

[Lyle Burlingame]

The fact that a 13 year old can get a handgun is just outragous. Yes I was shooting by 12 but thats after taking firearm saftey and not having the goal in mind of murder. How could you feel safe on the street, or in your car, when you can not legally carry a gun, but there are 13 year old kids armed with bad intentions. The parenting that is going on in these areas in non existant. They cycle of poverty does not allow for these kids to do anything eles but sell drugs and steal. Have you ever tried working for 7 dollars an hour this day in age, when gas is $3.59 a gallon.

[Close Enough to Know]

Bad people don't need reasons to kill. Unfortunately, envy and hate are enough for some people. This young man didn't deserve to die. He wasn't sick, he didn't have death wishes. He had nephews, a niece, sisters, and a mother to look after. He was going to baptize one of his nephews who he loved like a son and that nephew is going to miss out on so much. He might not even remember anything about his uncle since he's so young now.

[Garrett]

Gangs. It's that simple, folks.