At least four murders break moratorium in L.A. County

Watts: Christopher Tobias, a 38-year-old black man, was shot and killed in the 2000 block of 105th St. in Watts at about noon Saturday, April 5. Police said Tobias was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:48 p.m.

South-Central: Shortly after, Gary Walker, a 31-year-old black man, was shot multiple times as he stood in an alley near a parking lot of an apartment building at 1420 W. 38th St. in South-Central L.A. He was also taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m.

Monterey Park: At about 1:19 p.m. Sunday, April 6, two Latino men were shot in Monterey Park. Paramedics pronounced Alfred Chavez, a 23-year-old Latino man, dead at the scene at 2:08 a.m. According to L.A. County Sheriff's Department, the second man was hospitalized and is recovering.

North Hollywood: Hours after Chavez's death, Dennis Runner, 23, a white man, was shot multiple times in the head at about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Sherman Way in North Hollywood. According to police spokesperson Ana Aguirre, the suspect, described as a Latino man, fled in a burgundy four-door Scion. Police said Dennis was sitting inside a vehicle parked in front of a liquor store when he was shot. He was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, said Aguirre. Runner was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m.

The coroner also reported the death of Rodney Curry, a 38-year-old black man mortally wounded in a shooting, at 3:01 p.m. Saturday, April 5. But investigators had no information about the date and time of the shooting.

The shootings occurred during a 40-hour symbolic "murder moratorium"  called for by civil rights activists to mark the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  The moratorium to promote peace, justice and nonviolence had started at 6:01 p.m. Friday, 40 years to the minute after King was assassinated in Memphis. The moratorium ended at 10:01 a.m. Sunday.

On Monday, Eddie Jones, president of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Association, said the moratorium was a success despite the multiple murders. "There wasn't a great loss of life," said Jones. He said in the past there had been greater number of lives lost to gun and gang violence. "We sent out a beautiful message: stop the killings. Save a human life. Respect one another. Have some dignity in yourselves. Stop hurting one another and save our children," said Jones.  As for those responsible for the homicides , Jones said, "Only God knows everything."

Update: There were a total of three murders during the "murder moratorium." Runner's death on Sunday, April 6, was not considered one of the four homicides. The L.A. County Coroner said Tuesday, April 8, that Rodney Curry, 38, a black man, may have died from an old gunshot wound he received several years ago and therefore would not be considered among any of the homicides that actually occurred during the moratorium.

Comments

[Cynthia Tobias]

Christopher Tobias my fiance' of 3 years my domestic partner of 5 years is greatly missed even though the muderer of Chris was killed shortly after the death of Chris still does not ease my mind due to other suspects that are at large. Christopher was killed on April 5, 2008 at the residence of my parents and family where he was greatly loved and he loved them as well, that's why he made it his business to make it over my parents house every single day no matter what his day consists of. Our day to exchange vows was April 14, 2008 a day he never made it to but in my heart our vows were exchange everyday because he would wake up in the morning and he would greet me with good morning Mrs. Tobias I love you my wife and give me a morning kiss and I would respond with I Love you too Mr. Tobias. He was my provider, my friend, my business partner and my common-law husband and I miss him dearly. We loved each other strongly and nothing or no one could break that bond we shared, he wouldn't allow it. I laid Christopher to rest as he would have wanted to be sent home to the heavens up above and nothing else seems to matter much anymore, the rumors, false accusations, or hateful comments matter, the only thing that matters now is my healiing and the good times remembered that Chris and I shared and those were some good times, Chris will be missed by many but never forgotten. At least him and GOD bonded before his leaving of this earth with his last words of prayer. Christopher Tobias was my one and only True Love and I'll love him always. Chris will live on in all of our hearts and truly deep inside of me forever, literally. Chris may you rest in peace my husband I will LOVE you always.

[Monique]

Alfred Richard Chavez was my cousin, I am so hurt and sad without him. He was such a great guy and I am not saying it because he was my cousin I say it because its true. Whenever he was around everyone was alwasy laughing. Alfred you will never be forgotten. The Munoz/Chavez Family loves and misses you.

R.I.P.
Papoose.

[Trent]

40 HOUR SYMBOLIC MURDER MORATORIUM?!?! A second grader could tell you that doesn't make sense. Who are these idiots running our city? What, is it okay to murder AFTER the 40 hour ban? Do I laugh or cry?

[Tobias]

Christopher was not 38 years old he was 43 years. He did not have a wife but Cynthia was his girlfriend of 2 years. We (the Tobias family) is still mourning the death of Chris and we are praying daily that more information arises about his killers. I hope that Cynthia find peace, I'm sure that it's hard for her knowing that if he was not with her family that morning he would still be alive today.

[jr]

whats this world coming to?????????

[renee]

I came to this site after reading CNN article and I am almost speechless. I know murders happen everywhere but just reading murder after murder, in large, black & latino brings tears to my eyes. The ease in pulling a trigger w/no regard for life, no values, no humanity scares the hell out of me for my teen-aged brown son. I'm doing my damndest,w/my husband, to raise a decent, honest,respectful man. My biggest fear is him crossing paths w/ someone who wasnt raised the same or a maniac w/ a badge.My great-grandmother used to say,"when they are babies, they're on your lap, when they're older, they're on your heart." I didnt understand it until I became a parent. Poor blacks & latinos are in the same sinking boat & there's so much misdirected anger there too stupid to realize it.You're falling for every trap they set. Wake up!

[renee]

I came to this site after reading CNN article and I am almost speechless. I know murders happen everywhere but just reading murder after murder, in large, black & latino brings tears to my eyes. The ease in pulling a trigger w/no regard for life, no values, no humanity scares the hell out of me for my teen-aged brown son. I'm doing my damndest,w/my husband, to raise a decent, honest,respectful man. My biggest fear is him crossing paths w/ someone who wasnt raised the same or a maniac w/ a badge.My great-grandmother used to say,"when they are babies, they're on your lap, when they're older, they're on your heart." I didnt understand it until I became a parent. Poor blacks & latinos are in the same sinking boat & there's so much misdirected anger there too stupid to realize it.You're falling for every trap they set. Wake up!

[candy]

I knew chris and he did not bother no one. Now this is a shame i wish people would just stop the killing.Chris was a good man and my love and blessing goes out to cent his wife!

[kim smith]

it's sad that are city could not take a break in honor of an historic figure from killing someone. i've come to the conclusion that our society knows of no peace and wants no peace even within themselves. activist hutchen on monday april 7 that the memoraduim was sucessful it's obvious he doesnt go on this web sight. we as citizen need to come together and report various crimes we see suspious things going on in our community even if commited by a family member we are just as guilty when we dont. to the families of the deceased god bless your families FOR STRENGTH in the lost of your love ones.