'He remained a strong person to the very end'

Every morning, before his day started, Luis Sandoval, 70, went on a bicycle ride near his home. It was routine, family members said.

So on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, Sandoval went on his usual bike ride. About 5 a.m., he was at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Hicks Avenue — just four houses away from his home — when two rival taggers began shooting at each other, authorities said. Sandoval was struck by the gunfire.

Although wounded, he rode back home on his bike and called police. Paramedics and deputies from the East L.A. County sheriff's station responded to his call, authorities said.

Sandoval was taken by ambulance to County-USC Medical Center. At the hospital, doctors told his family that his chances of recovering from the gunshot wound were not good. "I remained hopeful," said Sandoval's daughter, Angelica Sandoval, 36. "I felt his strength."

Four months later, on June 13, Sandoval, a father of six children, died from the gunshot wound.

On Friday morning, Aug. 15, at the Sherman Block Sheriff's Headquarters in Monterey Park, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina and sheriff's homicide detectives announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of Sandoval's killers. "Luis Sandoval was a hard-working, retired steel worker with a large family," Molina said.

At the news conference, Angelica Sandoval said her father kept a positive outlook on life while overcoming many of his struggles. She said at the age of 5 or 6, her father became separated from his family.  She said she doesn't know how it happened; if her father was abandoned or got lost. For a while, as she put it, her father was a niño de La calle (boy from the street). A man later took him in and raised him. She said her father never complained about his childhood life.

Other family members said their father was a hard worker, strong and a courageous person who always made himself available to anyone who needed his help.   

"I drew so much strength from him," Angelica Sandoval said. Her older brother, standing next to her, added, "He remained a strong person to the very end."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call call detectives from the L.A. County sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Callers can remain anonymous.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times 

Comments

[A fan]

I usually don't mind the older people who have died on this blog because I read it to find out why and how the young are being murdered and how many. This hurt to read this information. Why? Can't LA be a place that people can ride bikes regardless of what time it is? That our elders are safe on the streets? I love LA! This is not just another day in LA.

[Steve]

The murders in LA county are out of control.
60 per month? That is terrible and tragic.
Gov't needs to cut that in half.
Good - innocent people are victims.

[Anthony]

I first seen this story on the 10 o'clock news and I was really heartbroken and moved by this..A hard-working man who was completely innocent,gunned down by some dumb ass taggers?? I live about 5 min. away from where this took place so it really hit home,May God have mercy on this good man's soul and may he rest in eternal peace.It seems like he had a very united and loving family,seeing his daughter cry on the news and talk about how strong of a person her dad was really got to me.I will definitely keep her in my prayers,stay strong and keep your head up..because your dad is surely in Heaven and he will be your guardian angel now.When everything seems like it's going downhill..turn to GOD because he is our only answer..He will comfort us when no one will..Que Dios lo tengo en su santa gloria. E.P.D Luis Sandoval 1937-2007

[angelica]

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It is that which sustains us.

Thank you.

[moved by this story]

I offer a prayer for your father. His photo reminds me of my dad and what he represents to our family. They come to this country looking for a better life for their children and sadly something like this happends. I know nothing will bring him back but atleast know that the life and struggles depicted in this story make alot of people feel proud of him as you should be of your father! En paz descanse.

[Abigail Sanchez]

I too was moved to tears when I read about the loss of this wonderful man. If something like this could happen to this man & his family, we are all at risk. My deepest, most sincere condolences to his family & loved ones.

[charlotte]

I never met this man but want to say a prayer today for his whole family and their loss. May the goodness of his life be their blessing and may the people who caused his death be caught and sentenced in a court of law very soon. I am sadden beyond belief by reading this story. Much Aloha and blessings from Hawaii where I am reading this story on the Times website.