'I lost my only brother'

                        

It has been a week since the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Roberto Perez .

The Latino man was shot to death at the intersection of 41st Street and South Vermont Avenue across from Manual Arts High School in Exposition Park about 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 2. Family members said Perez was the second-oldest of four children.

He was from Mexico and had a 3-year-old son. He had dropped out of high school to work full time as a carpenter so he could help the family with rent and bills. He was also supporting his son. Neighbors told the family that their son was well-mannered and that many of the area children admired Perez.  "He was a big kid," his sister, Blanca Perez, 16, said.

"I lost my only brother," said older brother Agustin Perez, 27, looking at the hardwood floor. 

According to Det. Frank Alvelais of LAPD's South Bureau Homicide, Perez was walking to the store when a vehicle pulled up. Someone got out and shot him several times.

Family said he and his older brother had been visiting their cousin, who owns a carpet store a few blocks from the killing. They said Perez was on his way to buy beer when he was shot twice in the back and once in the head. A youth ran to the store and told Agustin what had happened. Agustin said he ran to the corner and found his brother lying on the sidewalk, already dead.

"I took off my white shirt and covered him up so no one would see him," he said. Agustin then ran to his parents' house around the corner.

Blanca, the youngest sister, said she was returning from a college campus field trip when she learned her brother had been shot. She saw the police and yellow tape, but thought it was for a car accident. Agustin told her that their brother had been shot. She ran to the corner. "I couldn't breath," she said playing with her golden chain. "I couldn't believe it."

Family members are seeking donations for funeral services.

From top to bottom: A picture of Perez. A memorial shrine in the living room table. Family members have placed a slice of pizza aside for Perez. To the left, a second memorial shrine located just a street away.

Comments

[nd]

I have commented on a few other deaths that I have seen on this blog, and I am unsure as to why they were not posted.

I can't imagine leaving the house, going to the store, and having to wonder if I'll make it back. This is sad. I may be sheltered because of the areas in which I've lived, but I didn't really know this existed in the USA. Gangs...senseless murders...no sense of safety.

I pray for Roberto's family as well as others who have had their loved ones taken from them before their time.

[Maria]

This is really Sad I dont know why this is still happening every single day someone dies to a gun & gang violence.
My prayers are with the family.

[MATT JONES]

I LOST MY ONLY BROTHER TO THE STREETS TOO....ROBERT JONES 27 NOV.18 2007....HE WAS I GOOD MAN TOO...I FEEL FOR THE FAMILY...I AM STILL SICK....I STILL CRY EVERYDAY....BUT I HAVE TO STAY STRONG....GOD BLESS THE FAMILY......RIP ROBERT AND ROBERTO......AND GOD BLESS HERE KIDS

[cheryl]

this is so sad i pulled up in front of my neices apartment saturday and this young man was murdered right in front of where she lives across from manual arts high it really made me sad as it brought back memories of my own son being murdered my prayers are with this family no one should be able to take someones life. god bless

[kim smith]

i too have commented numerous of times on this blog that have gone unposred and have wondered why but nevertheless these murders go on daily in our community and we as citizens need to want to put a stop to this by becoming involved in our community. gouing out to coumcil meeting reportimg crimes in our city there are ways to do so amonimously become involved in your block club meeting, learn the people who are in your nieghborhood, educate your children at home as if they were in school. if we don't become involved as citizens the gangs and killings will continue to grow our mayor need not take jobs away to sky rocket the violence but create jobs for individuals. to the family my blessings go out to you and pray for inner strength