Joseph Esparza, 30

                         

Joseph Esparza, 30, a Latino man, was shot and killed at the intersection of Rose Hedge Drive and Gretna Avenue in the unincorporated area of Whittier at about 6:54 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Esparza was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

"No matter what, you're in my heart. You leave behind a mother and child," Esparza's cousin wrote on a carboard left at his memorial shrine.

Derek Chambers, 21

Derek Chambers, 21, a black man, was killed in a drive-by shooting at 511 W. 108th St. in South Los Angeles about 1 p.m. Saturday, May 31.

According to Los Angeles Police Department officials, officers from the Southeast Division were patrolling the area when they heard four to five gunshots. Officers saw several people running from 108th Street and responded. Police said the officers found Chambers lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Chambers was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to witnesses, a dark four-door sedan was seen fleeing from an area. Anyone with information can call South Bureau Homicide Detectives Roger Allen or Scott Wilhelm at (213) 485-1383.

Jesus Florian, 17

Jesus Florian, a 17-year-old Latino youth, was shot and killed in the 12000 block of Neenach Street in Sun Valley about 12:20 a.m. Saturday, May 31. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

According to LAPD spokeswoman Norma Eisenman, Florian was involved in an argument with the suspect at a party he was attending. The suspect pulled out a handgun and shot the teen several times. Eisenman said there was no description of the suspect yet. 

(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, May 28 - June 9, 2008.)

'We must start now'

It has been almost 15 weeks since the death of Antwan Cole.

The 19-year-old young black man was shot several times at a bus stop in Athens Friday, Feb. 8. He was on his way home from work.

Family, friends and supporters gathered Monday morning at the same bus stop near Main and 135th streets to hold a peace event in his memory.

A representative from the office of L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of  Cole's killers. 

After the announcement, Cole's family and supporters walked house to house, urging residents to help disrupt the killing cycle by speaking out and cooperating with law enforcement. "Work with us, fight with us to change our community," a flyer distributed during the walk read. "It will take time and won't happen overnight, but we must start now."

"The community was very receptive," said Cole's stepmother, Elizabeth Taylor. "They want change too," she said.

Above: Antwan Cole's stepmother and young sister hugging.

Victims, May 19 - 26

The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the period of May 19-26, 2008

Cynthia Perez, 14

Cynthia Perez, a 14-year-old Latina girl, was caught in gang crossfire as she sat in the back seat of her family's SUV at the intersection of Avenue 64 and York Boulevard in Highland Park about 3:10 p.m. Monday, May 26.

Perez was taken Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, where she was pronounced dead the next day at 1:15 p.m., according to Chief Assistant Ed Winter of the L.A. County coroner's office.  Los Angeles Police Department officials said Fabian Aguirre, 33, had stopped at a light next to the Perez's SUV when he got into an argument with a 16-year-old juvenile gang member who was standing on the sidewalk. The youth allegedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Aguirre; one of the bullets struck Perez, authorities said.  Perez's 7-year-old brother, who was sitting next to her, was treated for minor cuts caused by flying glass, police said. Aguirre, the driver of the truck, was also hit by the gunfire, but is expected to live. Two hours after the shooting, authorities arrested the 16-year-old alleged gang member on suspicion of attempted murder.

Photo: Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times

Frederick Videau, 46

Frederick Videau, 46, a black man, was shot in the 500 block of East Rosecrans Avenue in Compton about 10:20 p.m. Monday, May 26.

Videau was a longtime resident of the area, known for hanging out and drinking in front of a local liquor store. He was a with a friend that night, drinking, when an assailant in a hood sprang at them, and shot them both. The friend, shot in the chest, was treated at St. Francis hospital in Lynwood and survived. Videau died at the scene within minutes of the shooting. Sheriff's detectives are seeking any information about this case, including anonymous tips. Call (323)890-5500.-Jill Leovy/LAT

Sean Maurice Richardson, 24

Sean Maurice Richardson, 24, a young black man, was shot multiple times in the 800 block of 50th Place in South-Central L.A. about 8:10 a.m. Monday, May 26.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Richardson was approached by a man and shot. Richardson stumbled into the street and collapsed, police said.  He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead four hours later.  Authorities said there is no suspect description or motive. Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau homicide Dets. Eric Crosson and Chris Barling at (213) 475-1383.

Alfonso Castro, 51

Alfonso Castro, 51, a Latino man, was stabbed to death in the 3200 block of Burton Avenue in Rosemead about 12:30 a.m. Monday, May 26. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Frank Davis Montes, 20

Frank Davis Montes, 20, a young Latino man, was stabbed to death in the 19500 block of Covina Boulevard about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

L.A. County Sheriff's Department officials said deputies from the San Dimas Sheriff's Station responded to a call about a fight. Deputies found Montes lying in the parking lot of an apartment complex. He had been stabbed multiple times, authorities said.  Paramedics were called but Montes died at the scene.  There was no description of a suspect.  Anyone with information should call sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Hector Cervantes, 31

Hector Cervantes, a 31-year-old Latino man, was shot in a car-to-car shooting in the 6300 block of Stafford Avenue in Huntington Park at about 1 a.m. May 24th, and died about 30 minutes later at St. Francis hospital in Lynwood. Cervantes' attackers pursued him some distance, and he was struck several times by gunfire. He lost control of the wheel, and his car crashed, said Huntington Park Police Lt. Christopher Bonzer. The suspects are still at large.--Jill Leovy/LAT

Efrain Leyva, 54

Efrain Leyva, 54, a Latino man, was fatally shot outside his wholesale store at 918 Long Beach Ave. in downtown Los Angeles Friday, May 23.

According to the L.A. County Coroner's Department, Leyva was shot in the leg and head. His time of death is listed as 6:09 p.m.

Leyva's store is in the Warehouse District, near the Los Angeles Times printing facility. Leyva was closing his business when he was shot, according to a customer who emailed the Homicide Report.

It's unclear whether the suspect or suspects were planning to rob Leyva. Homicide detectives with LAPD's Newton Division are investigating.

Nearby workers described Leyva as a kind and hard-working man who treated everyone equally. The owner of a taco stand where Leyva often ate said he was surprised to hear about his death. He said Leyva just didn't seem the type to have enemies.

A sign left outside of the store for shoppers after the incident said the store would open again on Monday, June 2. It had been torn and left scattered on the sidewalk.

Photo: Above Leyva's wholesale store. To the right, a sign telling shoppers when the store would reopen.

James Milton Hill, 64

James Milton Hill, a 64-year-old black man, died at a local hospital Friday, May 23, after being shot 13 days ago. Hill had been on life support after surgery.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Hill was shot on May 17 about 4:30 a.m. at the intersection of Florence Avenue and Denker Avenue In South-Central L.A. Police said the driver of a black compact pulled alongside Hill and shot him. Hill collapsed on the pavement.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Dets. Eric Crosson or Chris Barling of LAPD's South Bureau Homicide Division at (213) 785-1383

Jose Antonio Soto, 37

Jose Antonio Soto, 37, a Latino man, was killed in the 1600 block of West Anaheim Street in Long Beach at about 11:35 p.m. Friday, May 23.

According to Long Beach Police Department officials, Soto was standing on the sidewalk when a man approached and shot him. Soto was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities described the gunman only as a man in his 40s or 50s. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Dets. Scott Lasch or Malcolm Evans at (562) 570-7244.

Robleon Sheards, 19

Robleon Sheards, 19, a young black man, was shot and killed in at 240 W.84th Place in South-Central Los Angeles at about 11:47 p.m. Friday, May 23.

Sheards was attending a house party, and apparently tried to dance with a woman whose boyfriend was also at the party, said LAPD South Burea Det. Roger Guzman. The boyfriend became jealous, and argued with Sheards. The conflict was broken up, and Sheards left the party, walking outside. His assailant followed him, and the two got into a fistfight on the sidewalk. Other people were also present. Gunshots rang out, and Sheards was struck multiple times. Sheards was pronounced dead at the scene. The case remains under investigation; no suspect is in custody.

Sheards was a Transportation Security Administration worker at Los Angeles International Airport. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (213) 485-1383.-Jill Leovy/LAT

Dominique Dunn, 19

Dominique Dunn, 19, a young black man, was mortally wounded in a shooting at 6451 E. 72nd Street Paramount at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.  The man died at a local hospital, according to authorities. Homicide detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are investigating.

Artak Karamyan, 28

Artak Karamyan, 28, a white man, was shot and killed at 12459 Oxnard Street in North Hollywood about 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Within minutes, Paylak Harutyunay, 29, also a white man, was shot several times near the intersection of Vanowen Street and Coldwater Canyon Boulevard. Both men died at the scene. 

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood Division responded to a report of a shooting, according to police, and found Karamyan dead with a gunshot wound to his chest. A few minutes later, a second shooting was reported about a mile and a half away. According to authorities, officers found Harutyunay fatally wounded from a "car-to-car" shooting.  Police said Karamyan and Hrutyunay had been involved in a dispute with a group of men. 

Police arrested Avetis Vartanyan, 24, on suspicion of murder. Authorities said a pistol was recovered from the yard of a home where Vartanyan had allegedly hidden.

Paylak Harutyunya, 29

Paylak Harutyunya, 29, a white man, is the second homicide victim of a shooting spree in North Hollywood listed above.

Richard Pope, 22

Richard Pope, 22, a young Latino man, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting at the intersection of Merced Avenue and Ramona Boulevard in Baldwin Park at about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.  Pope was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died at 7:23 p.m.

L.A. County Sheriff's Department officials said Pope  was on the passenger side of a car that was at a stoplight when two Latino men in a dark colored vehicle pulled up next to it. One of the men then began shooting at the car, hitting Pope several times, authorities said.

Frederick Morales, 30

Frederick Morales, 30, a Latino man, was shot and killed at 11477 Copeland Street in Lynwood about 10:12 p.m. Monday, May 19.

According to L.A. County Sheriff's Department, residents found Morales with gunshot wounds to his upper torso in an alley after hearing gunshots. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Oscar Orendain, 33

Oscar Orendain, 33, a Latino man, was shot and killed in the 10200 block of Grevillea Avenue in Lennox at about 4:37 p.m. Monday, May 19. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:25 p.m. Detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's homicide bureau are investigating.

Ralph Stofleth, 91

Ralph Stofleth, a 91-year-old man, was found dead in the backyard of his home in the 9842 Potter St. at about 4:45 p.m. Monday, May 19.

Deputy Luis Castro of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau said deputies responded to a welfare check call and were inspecting the home when they discovered Stofleh. He said the body had been lying in the yard for several weeks. According to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office, Stofleth's body was found covered with sheets and cardboard. Shortly after, the man's 56-year-old daughter, Linda Sue Copeland, was arrested on suspicion of murdering her father, Castro said. Los Angeles County Coroner's Department will determine the cause of death. Authorities believe that Stofleth was killed between Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. Deputy District Attorney Taraneh Saba of the Elder Abuse section has been assigned to the case.

(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, May 19 - 26, 2008.)

'A wonderful person for our community'

Hae Sook Roh, 51, a Korean woman, was fatally shot inside her store in the 2300 block of Rosecrans Avenue in Gardena on Monday evening.

A day after the shooting, the city of Gardena offered a $10,000 reward for the conviction of two robbers who shot Roh. Former customers drove to the store to confirm the news of her death.

Roh operated her store alone, and it was always open, former customers said. "I loved her," said Felita Hammond, 40, a former customer who drove to the store when she heard about the shooting. "I liked the way she did business." 

According to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, the suspects were described as black men in their 20s. The gunman was wearing a bandana, black jacket, white T-shirt and shorts. The second man was wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans. Both suspects were last seen running westbound on Rosecrans.  A surveillance video shows the gunman storming into the store, pointing a gun at Roh, and shooting her once. As he tried to open the cash register he shot Roh twice more.

A neighboring shop owner said she heard three gunshots. She walked to Roh's store and found her lying behind the counter. The woman said she ran back to her store and dialed 911.

Latex gloves from paramedics were left behind just ouside the store. Near the front entrance were boxes scattered on the floor, and a few feet away dry bloodstains.

A friend of the family said Roh lived in Harbor City. She emigrated from Korea with her husband and two children. Roh had owned her store, Shirt 6 for $10, for five years and had been robbed before, the friend said.

Former customers said Roh always greeted them with a smile. "She was a wonderful person for our community," said Janet Wilson, 51, a former customer who dropped off a vase of flowers in front of the store.  Hammond said she wasn't surprised to hear about the robbery. "But to kill her," she said, "I can't stomach that." 

See L.A. Times story

In search of more evidence

                   

Detectives from LAPD's South Bureau homicide squad continue their investigation of the fatal shooting of Roberto Perez, 25, with help from members of the Crime Scene Search Unit in Exposition Park.

Victims, May 12 - 18

The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the period of May 12-18, 2008

Adrian Franco, 19

Adrian Franco, a 19-year-old Latino young man, was shot and killed in the back of an apartment building at 131 N. Alvarado Street in LAPD's Rampart Division at about 10:08 p.m. May 18. A suspect fled the scene on a bicycle. Franco died at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD detectives at (213)207-2060.--Jill Leovy/LAT

Gabriel Martinez, 19

Gabriel Martinez, 19, a young Latino man, died from severe injuries after falling from a moving vehicle in the 1100 block of North Stimson Avenue in La Puente about 4:20 p.m. Sunday, May 18.

According to Deputy Oscar Butao of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, Martinez was involved in a fight with two men. A short time later, the two men got into a white pickup truck and attempted to leave the scene. Authorities said Martinez grabbed onto the driver's-side door, but lost his grip, fell and died from severe injuries at the scene. Authorities said the two men were later found and detained for questioning. No arrests have been made, Butao said.

Jameion Adonnis Benton, 21

Jameion Adonnis Benton, 21, young black man, was shot at 1413 Myrtle Street in Long Beach about 12:09 a.m. Sunday, May 18. Benton was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:22 a.m.

According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers responded to a call of "shots-fired." Upon arrival, the officers found Benton on the street with gunshot wounds to the torso. Authorities said the motive for the shooting was unknown. 

Benton was four days away from his birthday. Police said he was from Louisiana.

Roketi Su'e, 46

Long Beach: Roketi Su`e, a 46-year-old Samoan man, was shot and killed by police officers in the 3400 block of East 67th Street about 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17. He was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

According to a Long Beach police statement, officers responded to several calls from residents in the neighborhood about a man who was acting violently and erractically. When they arrived at the scene, officers saw Su`e and tried to arrest him, police said. The officers were then involved in a  "physical altercation" with Su`e, according to the statement. The officers used their batons to gain control of Su`e but were unable to.  Fearing for their lives, one of the officers shot Su`e multiple times in the torso, the statement said.  Shortly after the shooting, officers were confronted by at least 40 people. Additional units arrived to assist the officers, and police were able to take control of the situation, according to the statement. Police said the L.A. County coroner's office will determine whether Su'e was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Anyone with information about the incident can call Long Beach homicide detectives at (562) 570-7244. Above: A family photo of Roketi Su`e

Update: Members of the Samoan community of Long Beach gathered Tuesday to denounce the shooting of Su'e. 

Armando Avalos, 25

Armando Avalos, a 25-year-old Latino man, was shot during an argument in the 1900 block of East 105th Street in South Los Angeles about 11:50 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

L.A. Police Detective Sal Labarbera said Avalos and a friend were walking on the sidewalk between Anzac Avenue and Grape street when they were approached by two men. He said the men were involved in a "physical altercation" when one of the men pulled out a gun and shot Avalos. He was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Anyone with information can call Southeast homicide detectives at (213) 485-4341.