Fernando Cortez, 21

Fernando Cortez, 21, a young Latino man, was killed in a deputy-involved shooting in the 1500 block of East 92nd Street in Florence about 5:55 p.m. Saturday, April 12. According to Deputy Oscar Butao of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, gang enforcement deputies from the Sheriff's Century Station were at a stop light across from the Ranchito Market when they were approached by someone who said that a man inside the store was armed with a gun. The deputies later detained Cortez and were searching him when he allegedly pulled a handgun out of his pocket. Butao said the deputies reported they feared for their lives, and fired several shots at Cortez. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at 6:05 p.m.

Comments

[HOPE]

Was fernando enrolled in LA COnservation Corps?

[Juan Sandoval]

They "forgot to mention" that his parents are the owners of the store and was killed in front of his mother.

[Tony]

Juan Sandoval, you wrote: They "forgot to mention" that his parents are the owners of the store and was killed in front of his mother. Common sense tells me that if an officer is patting me down for weapons; the LAST thing I would do is make any movement that might cause that officer to shoot me. The fact that the deseased' parents own that store is insignificant. Those deputies were not going to ask questions while engaging an armed person in a gunfight.

Its very easy to second guess the actions of the deceased and the deputies; however if I am an employee/ owner of a business, I would of immediately advised those officers of my handgun and it's location. I would also NOT reached for it. I doubt that those deputies would have shot the deceased under those conditions.

There are several questions that have not been answered, was the deceased an employee? or was he just a family member that was inside the family owned business with a handgun. Did the deceased have a lawful reason to possess that handgun inside the business? How did that informant see the handgun? Was the deceased brandishing it?

[R.I.P Ferny]

They also didn't mention that he had a broken hand did they.? They also didnt mention that he was searched until after he was shot, and thats when they found the gun and made up a pretty damn good story about it.!!
i hope who ever did this pays for it.
R.I.P. Ferny aka Pecks

[Mike]

Was he working as an employee of the store for his parents? Was he carrying the gun as protection for the store? Was he really "going for a gun"? Did the deputies make an error in judgement?

[JENNA]

I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A GUN. WAS THERE A GUN PLACED INTO EVDIENCE THAT HE ACTULLY HAD A GUN.

[Sandy]

While being searched, Cortez pulled out a gun? Okay, so a gun has surfaced, but he did not fire...

What happened to rules of engagement? Is this a portrayal of the lack of and inadequate training and confidence of police officers these days? To shoot a "suspect" with mulitple shots as opposed to disabling him from endangering others because they fear for their lives when their lives are on the line every day?

Too many cops these days... Are either trigger-happy, or just don't know how to perform on their job!

[Jessica]

I personally knew the Ferny and I am deeply saddened by this. I am glad to read that people are actually questioning the actions of the officer. Ferny was indeed wearing a cast at the time, and he was at his parents store. I have been reading a lot of articles on this, and they only offer vague, biased information.

I have never really believed that police officers could be so incompetent. I really hope that karma does its job.

Fernando Cortez Jr. son, big brother, father, husband, friend.

Rest in peace.

[Tony]

Sandy, you mentioned; "What happened to rules of engagement?" When it comes to an armed suspect, I have NEVER heard of such a rule. the objective is to make it home safely. I truly believe that you have watched too many Hollywood movies. They often portray people who are shot once. That person often flies backwards and dies. In the real world people can and often continue to fire despite severe wounds. Just because the deseased did not fire does not mean they were TRIGGER HAPPY. It actually means they did their job properly.....

Sandy, you mentioned; "What happened to rules of engagement?" When it comes to an armed suspect, I have NEVER heard of such a rule. the objective is to make it home safely. I truly believe that you have watched too many Hollywood movies. They often portray people who are shot once. That person often flies backwards and dies. In the real world people can and often continue to fire despite severe wounds. Just because the deseased did not fire does not mean they were TRIGGER HAPPY. It actually means they did their job properly.....

[Tony]

R.I.P Ferny, you mentioned that the deceased had a broken arm? So that makes it ok for him to be armed? Does having a broken arm preclude him from being able to discharge that weapon? I'm puzzled.....

[ruben]

Tony

you said "engaging an armed person in a gunfight." but correct me if i'm wrong here doesnt the other guy have to shoot for it to be a gunfight? It sounds like another Cold blooded murder by the Cops...dont worry sooner or later they will all kill someone you know and then public outcry will begin about these trigger happy cops

[Joshua Peel]

It is either shoot or be shot. Why would there be a call of an armed suspect to a store where he works? Who called the cops. It is nice that you all like to look at the hindsight but fact is he is dead. He should have known better to pull a gun or even go for anything especially when cops are there.

[Junior S]

Rest in Peace Fernando Cortez(Peckz)
I've known him ever since he was like 7 years old. I Used to be his neighbor before they moved. He was a young cool, guy to hang around with. He would never pull a gun on cops, he wasnt dumb. I really love his family, and i really wish justice gets served. He was only 21 yeas old of age. Left behind a family, a wife, a 1 year old, and a baby on the way. I really wish he was still alive. I miss you Ferny. One day we will be together again. If you have any questions, please email me(slice_323@yahoo.com). As today April 22, 2008 he was burried at Inglewood Cemenentry, in Inlgewood, California. Karma is a bitch, but only god knows when. As for me I will keep my head up high, and keep Ferny in my heart.

[R.I.P Ferny]

Tony,

He did have a broken hand, and he was armed, but like ruben said don't both sides need to fire a gun or even pull out a gun for it to be a gunfight.!??!! ferny didnt even pull out or reach for his gun.! Yea ur puzzled because you dont know what happened. If you actually knew my cousin and knew what happned you wouldnt be puzzled.!! I think that the cops are trigger happy, and if they fear for their life so much, why dont they get another job.! So just because they get scared it makes it OKAY for them to kill my cousin.?? now im the one puzzled Tony.!!

[me]

No one does not have to discharge a gun in order for there to be a gun fight. This person was carring a gun that he should not have had on him. He took the chance rolled the dice and lost. We all make decisions for ourselves that we must live with. Why would anyone carry a gun? If there had been no gun would he be alive today? What if we could ask those questions all day long and it wouldn't get us any where other then where we are right now. Too bad he made a decision that cost him his life. A decision that he or no one can take back.

[Only he knows.]

If anyone knew how bad that area where he lived is and how much violence happens there, then you would understand the need to have some kind of protection, especially when your parents own a store. Only the people closest to him know what he is capable of and I hardly doubt he was the kind of person to shoot an officer at his parents business. Cops overreact! An innocent person lost his life in my eyes he was such a cool person to be with and as a mother i understand what his wife and family are going through so my prayers are with them... So rest in peace Ferny....

[jennifer]

hey well i knew ferny not that well but my man did ferny was a very nice boy and i dont think that he did anything to put hiself in danger in front of his family i dont think so .

[Cynthia]

Mi primo we've been missing you a lot!!! Your son was born last month, and let me tell you primo he looks just LIKE YOU!!! You have been reborned and we will have a part of you here with us all the time. I went to go visit you this past Sunday and I couldn't help but cry, I saw your favoirte piece of candy that was left their by someone, I will visit you again real soon, and I will not break that promise of finishing school for you primo. R.I.P

[Los]

This fool does it again. This time he shot a boy 17 in East LA . This officer is gonig from city too city. I hope justice is served in a real way.