Ruben Walton Ortega, 23

Ruben Walton Ortega, 23, a black man, was killed by an Inglewood Police officer in the 11100 block of Crenshaw Boulevard in Inglewood about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 1.

Inglewood Police Department officials said officers with a uniformed gang task force received a call that men were loitering. When officers arrived, Ortega ran south in an alley. Officers said they saw him discard what they believe were cash and drugs. One officer chased after Ortega. The officer told investigators that Ortega refused to show his hands and kept his left hand concealed in his waistband, said Sgt. Gabriela Garcia of the Inglewood Police Department.

Believing Ortega was armed, the officer shot him, she said. Paramedics pronounced Ortega dead at the scene. Police said Ortega was a known gang member and a convicted felon.

(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, July 1-6, 2008.)

Comments

[Lc]

today is 2/18/2009 7 months afer the killing of
my Friend Ruben Ortega. I miss Ruben so much,
it is a very sad society that we live in because
7 months later, no justice. I went to visit Ruben's
grave last week, at Inglewood Park Cemetery
there is still not headstone, or marker which says
he rests there, I had the cemetery Put a temporary
marker with his name on it. I cared deeply about
Ruben, and I will never forget him.
I spoke to Ruben the morning on July 1, 2008, He promised me that he was going home, it is tragic
I miss Ruben's smile.

[Mix]

The police played with Ruben's life, the neighborhood knows this. Justice may not have been served but there's no doubt that what has happened will not go forgotten. I encourage the city to do something with these gun happy policemen. these events provide turmoil to a place on the verge of an unlawful revolt. ...IPD : first it was the brutality, then killing the homeless on Imperial, then unarmed residents, to now a youngster looking for an alternative path in life with no violent history... way to go IPD. WILL THE REAL POLICE OFFICERS PLEASE STAND UP! R.I.P. RuuB we miss seeing you.. bless us.

[ruby nash]

Ruben watched me grow up and i am now grown..and those of u that dont know know him cant really say 2 much..cuz i do know him and he shouldnt had been killed like he did..mayb they need 2 keep some of these gun happy police off da streetz...but im goin 2 miss u Ruben u were like a big brother 2 me and always will be..i love u and cant wa8 2 c u again..tell my mom and brother i said hi..love u

Army Girl

[Ms. Green]

I was Ruben's 4th grade teacher at Bennett-Kew Eleemntary School in Inglewood. I would see Ruben from time to time and he was always pleasant, spoke, and gave me a hug whenever I saw him. HE WOULD ALWAYS SPEAK OF TRYING TO DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH HIS LIFE.Though it was obvious that he may have been involved in some things that he shouldn't have, he still was a human being. Anyone running from the cops is not posing a threat to them. Why do they always have to shoot to kill? I will never forget his boyish smile and how polite he was to me when I would see him in the neighborhood. I wish I would have attended the service, but I will miss Ruben. Rest in Peace.

[don't get it...]

It is sad that a lot of people comment when a police officer shoots a person, in a neighborhood where there are probably shootings, for not showing his hands when they ask however they don't comment as much when a police officer is killed. Yes, people deserve second chances but he was running from the cops, he was in trouble before, if he would have shot that police officer it would have been a totally different story and people commenting on here would not have been as outraged. How much sense is that? And for you to say that oh the police are not helping and everything if people don't give out information and protect the people that did bad things how are they supposed to arrest them and put them away? The problem is the community they need come together and help the police.

[lc]

I have worked with young juveniles, in the past, counseling, and helping people, who cant find a way,
Community Involvement is what's needed, Care enough
about others, and a change will come, I am 52 years old
and i have lived in the city of Inglewood, Ca. since 1956,
the news media, was to quick to judge Ruben, I read the
newspaper everyday since Ruben's death, and there is not a mention of him, But Ruben is loved by many, and
the officer who shot Ruben will be brought to Justice!
to Ruben's Family, his son, there is someone who cares
enough, to get Involved, contact leaders of this community
most people do not want to get involved,

[lc]

this is to Justice,

I knew Ruben Ortega, and he was not gulity of Anyrthing,
certainly not a Punishment of Death, I also know the Police officer who shot Rubin in the back, while he was
Trying to get away, And for you to comment, When you did not know him personally, it is offensive, I will pray for
you, And it has now come to light, and Justice will be served, Rubin lost his life, but did not die in Vain. Rest in Peace, You are missed.

[Puff]

I grew up in the Crenshaw Imperial area where Ruben Ortega was shot. It was sad to hear the news. I do remember Ruben, and it is sad that his life ended the way it did. He was a young man who did not really get a chance. Yes, there are people who care who may have tried to reach out to Ruben, teachers who tried etc, but there are still young men who fall victim to life on the streets. He did not deserve to die the way he did (in an alley). I was hoping that it was not Ruben, but it was. I remember Ruben often walking around the Crenshaw Imperial area and he would often run across to Gins Liquor back on to the One way. He was a very young man who got caught up in the system in every way. It is an unfortunate tragedy that he lossed his life to the streets. Who knows the real reason as to why the officers shot him, we may never know. But what I do know is all this gang banging, drug selling, and killing has to stop. Ruben could have been remembered for more than just a drug dealer or convicted felon. He was a human being and a young man that was never really afforded the chance to rise above the streets of Inglewood. So those of you who were outside that evening (gang members) acting a fool in front of the police etc, embarrassing yourselves, the neighborhood, and giving the police a reason to make you leave the area, well you forgot about Ruben lying there in the alley dead. No one is saying not to be angered by what happened, but there are other ways of getting your point across. I remember the young man when he was in grade school (elementary). I hate what happened and I hate that he became engulfed in the streets, the young man could have been so much more.

[rick]

the officer should be charged with manslauter

[DP]

We all have rights in America. How gives authority to poilce department to fire a firearm on a "Subject" becuase he or she didnt show his hands. Maybe if police department didn't pose a treat to many proverty kind people they would respect law enforcement like they should. It's shocking the the CHIEF OF POLICE didn't call for a Federal Invesigation to review this case by the United States Department of Justice.

Its sad that they can write he was a known gang member and convicted felon, remember our country believe in god, perhaps Ruben changed, I taugh once you serve time in prison you paid your debt to society.

People if we ignore this, it will happen to another on of our loved brothers and sister. Ruben embrassed me when I lived on Imperial and Crenshaw- When I attdened Morningside High School.

1 love 1 family

[HOODNEWS]

ON THE BEHALF OF HOODNEWS WE GIVE OUR CONDOLENCES TO RUBEN'S FAMILY,INVEST IN CAMERAS POLICE THE POLICE AND WE HERE IF YOU NEED SOME BROTHAS.....

[Averroes]

Everything about the police version of events stinks to high heaven! Start thinking for ourselves and stop accepting the same story without thinking. It's always "suspect refused to show his hands and we thought he had a weapon so we killed him" defense. This sounds like an EXECUTION plain & simple. If we allow police to do it to this man (known gang member or not) someone you love or maybe even vou may be next.

[lc]

I met Rubin Walten Ortega 4 weeks before his death,
Rubin was a very sweet young man, I got to know him,
very well, I am 22 years older than Rubin, I spoke to Rubin
every day, he called me every night to let me know that he was ok, and what he was doing to become Successful in life, life is so short, and Rubin did not deserve to die in that alley, Rubin will be truly missed, and
I know the truth what happend , Justice will be served,
Ruben is with god now, Rest in Peace Rubin Walten Ortega, July 26, 1984 = July 1, 2008.

[Southoc]

How can you protect people in a war zone?

[Purplemoonangel]

I love you Ruben You will be missed. I am great full for the good times I got to spend with you.I am very sorry for the fact that we have simple minded people in this world who react before they think and or just assume things.

XOXO

[LISA FRANKLIN]

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION I DIDN'T WANT YOU COMING DOWN HARD ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. I'M GLAD YOUR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO HELP THE YOUTH OUT.

[Tony]

HI LISA, I work with a Christian youth group. The kids come from some pretty tough parts of town, surrounded by drug dealers and gangs; none of them have father figures. We take them camping, to theme parks and different events with positive messages. We learn about the Bible. We try to help them become good decision makers. We try to help them prepare for collage, get drivers license and jobs. Teach them to decipher the messages in a lot of the rap songs, and that being in a gang will lead only to prison or death. We teach them to pull their pants up and hold their head high and have dignity and pride. Most importantly we teach them that they are important and very much loved.
I'm glad you asked.
God Bless

[Walter Speed]

LET THE TRUTH BE REVEALED!!!!!

[LISA]

TONY! WHAT RE YOU DOING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SINCE YOU KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS, ARE YOU TRYING TO HELP SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING MR. YOU NEED TO GO VISIT MR HOODTEACHER AND LET HIM TAKE YOU ON A RIDE OF REALITY AND LEARN SOMETHING UNLESS YOU FORGOT.

[GODSGIFT2DAD@AOL.COM (LISA)]

HOOD TEACHER YOUR THE BEST I WISH YOU COULD SPEND TIME WITH MY NEPHEWS AND SHOW THEM A DIFFERENT SIDE OF LIFE. ALTHOUGH IT'S LOTS OF NEGATIVES SIDES TO LIFE I WISH THEY COULD SEE SOME GOOD IN IT.

[Tony]

T-burt, it's so funny that when it's an officer involved shooting, everyone seems to know all the facts, but when it's some gang member or drug dealer that murders one of your unarmed children on the streets nobody seems to know a thing when the police ask. I guess that "No snitch" rule really works. For drug dealers and killers. Have a nice life, what little of it you get to live there.

[Rick]

I tottaly agree Todd, maybe he was trying to hold his pants up, no weapon was found on him. That is why this baggy pants below the butt look is terrible.

[Hoodteacher]

There is such a high level of ignorance in these comments that it speaks volumes about sorry state of the school systems in the United States. Let's break it down from the start - when the police say that you are a "known gang member," it can mean anything. They put as many people on that list as possible to justify summary executions like this one. To say that the cop made the right decision because this man is a "banger" is a level of ignorance that prevents the progression of society and humanity. The function of the police has always been to protect the ruling class. So far, in the last two months there have been two young man killed with no weapons by the police, one man killed in Long Beach without a weapon, and one man killed in Compton without a weapon. I know cops, and every single cop that I know carries an unregistered gun. I do not know how many other incidents have occurred this year that involve planted guns. The way that the hood is treated is clearly unfair. You can put that back on the people if you choose, it still does not justify treating the people here unfair - that is, by definition, discrimination, which serves to perpetuate the existing problems in the community. There are several possible solutions to this problem, but the bottom line is this; Continuing to beat and kill the young men of a community will not decrease crime, decrease gang membership, or make anyone safer. Killing creates martyrs - this is recruitment for the Inglewood Families, this creates justified sympathy for the Families, and invites frustrated people that have had horrible experiences with the police to join the other side (even though that would be a horrible choice and ineffective solution). Policing in Inglewood, South Central, and Compton is based on keeping the people in check, which leaves these communities constantly on the edge of insanity. I know this because I live here. I live a max 5 mins. from where this happened in South LA. Unless you are from here or live here and really see what's going on, you are wasting your words and disrespecting this young man (of which you know very little about) and the whole community. This is not the place for that type of disrespect.

[This is out of hand]

These officer involved shootings in Los Angeles Co are getting out of hand. I do understand your point about wearing the other shoe, but how often do the Police wear the shoe of the people in the communities they are assigned to protect? I will keep the family in my prayers. L.A. Co needs to rethink their tactics when it comes to protection, because lately, they have not been doing a good job. If this young man did have a weapon and was only being chased by one officer, why did he not attack that officer? There are three sides to this story: the officers, Ruben's, and the truth. Unfortunately we will only be able to hear one.

[T Burt]

I too new Ruben for years we go as far back as elementary. And while he was not always the upstanding citizen he was never a physical threat too society. Ruben was murdered right behind my house. There was no verbal warning by police officers. No, siren sounded at any point before the shooting. And no type of wepons found on Ruben. 5 Shots rang out as clear as day with no hesitation in between! What's really fucked up is how the police lied to the neighborhood and said there was a man running around with a gun after they had shot and killed an unnarmed man behind my house. What's really messed up is the fact that I just left the service and now that I am home, I feel safer around the drug dealers pushers and pimps than I do when I see a police car. Rest in Peace Ruben. You will be loved and missed! - Nick