'I didn't think it was him'

            

Two days after Robert Lett was shot outside an apartment complex in Long Beach, a group of neighbors talked about his death near the candles, flowers and stuffed bears that had been placed in his memory.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, about 10:25 p.m., Lett was standing outside an apartment building at Langport Avenue and East 56th Way when gunfire erupted. Myesha Counsel, 21, said she heard about five shots.  Counsel said she ran out and saw Lett lying on his back, with closed fists and his legs twitching.

"He was hit in the face, then in the neck," Counsel said.  Her friend, Rose Fox, 19, covered her ears when she heard the details. "I should move to Alaska, where nothing happens,"  Fox said.

Counsel and other neighbors said police officers arrived first at the scene. Counsel said officers were putting yellow tape up before the ambulance arrived.  "Police officers should learn CPR," Counsel said. "They should carry a first aid kit. They can do more than what we can."  The ambulance, according to most neighbors, had taken up 10 to 15 minutes. In some areas of South Los Angeles, some family members of homicide victims say they have waited up to 20 minutes for a paramedic unit.

Authorities said Lett was taken to Lakewood Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m.

Lett's girlfriend, Aundrea Stovall, 20, said they had been messaging each other through their cellphones that night. Stovall said they were planning events for her birthday on Thursday. She said Lett did not respond to her last message, which she had sent about 10:23 p.m. that night. It wasn't until she got home minutes later that neighbors told her about her boyfriend.

"I didn't think it was him," said Stovall. "I was exchanging text messages with him."

Counsel said Lett had just turned 18 in July and was new to the area. Authorities said Lett was a resident of Quartz Hill.   

Stovall said Lett had moved in with his aunt. She said he had graduated from Highland High School in Palmdale and had enrolled at Santa Monica College the week before. She said Lett wanted to play for the men's college basketball team; tryouts, according to the school's website, are in September.

"He's 6-foot-3," said Stovall, wearing a black shirt and Lett's high school basketball shorts. "He could have been a player for any of the NBA teams."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Long Beach Homicide Dets. Russ Moss or Terri Hubert at (562) 570-7244.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Victims, Aug. 18-24

The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the period of Aug. 18-24, 2008

Elise Glatstein, 85

Elise Glatstein, an 85-year-old white woman, was pronounced dead at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center about 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Devonshire Division officers were called to check on the woman at her home Saturday morning in the 21900 block of Dupont Street in Chatsworth. Officer Norma Eisenman of the LAPD's media relations office said that officers found Glatstein in her bedroom covered in her own waste.  She was taken to the hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead hours later. Officers arrested Glatstein's 54-year-old daughter, Belinda Feldman, on suspicion of neglect.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Diego Begines, 26

Diego Begines, 26, a Latino man, was fatally shot at 8:22 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in his frontyard in Compton.

Begines was outside his home in the 1000 block of South Willowbrook Avenue when three Latino men approached him, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said. One of the men pulled out a gun and shot Begines several times in the upper torso, deputies said. Begines was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The three assailants fled on foot. One was captured shortly afterward and was booked on suspicion of murder, authorities said.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Christian Gutierrez, 27

Christian Gutierrez, 27, a Latino man, was shot and killed in the 4600 block of Venice Boulevard in the Mid-City area about 1:20 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.

Officer Norma Eisenman of the LAPD's media relations office said Gutierrez was standing outside his apartment with a friend when two Latino men approached them and began shooting at them. She said Gutierrez was struck in the chest. His friend was hit in the stomach. Gutierrez was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. His friend was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive .

Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Gabriela Rodas, 18

Gabriela Rodas, an 18-year-old Latina woman, was shot during a domestic dispute in the 2000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in Boyle Heights about 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Officers from the Hollenbeck Division responded to a report of a suicide at a home. When they arrived, they found Rodas with a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said. She was taken to L.A. County-USC Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Police detained the girl's Latino boyfriend, Moises Enrique Martinez, 24, for questioning. Hours later, he was booked on suspicion of murder, said Officer Karen Smith of the LAPD's media relations office. Police said that Martinez pulled out a gun during an argument with Rodas, and allegedly shot her in the back of the head. 

Rodas was going to be 19-years-old in October. Family members are seeking donations for funeral services.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Dante Page, 41

Dante Page, 41, a black man, was shot to death at 7:02 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, during an argument near 60th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, authorities said.

Page had been involved in a dispute with the assailant, Long Beach Police Department officials said.

During the argument, the assailant walked up to Page and shot him, then fled in a vehicle, police said.

Page collapsed on the sidewalk between a drugstore and a barber shop. An employee at the barber shop said he was sweeping when he heard two gunshots.

The employee, who did not want to give his name, said he walked outside, saw Page lying on the ground and called 911. "The barber shop wishes love to the family," he said. "I know they're feeling sad right now."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Long Beach homicide Dets. Russ Moss or Terri Hubert at (562) 570-7244.

Kyree McCray, 28

Kyree McCray, 28, a black man, was shot during dispute at a children's football game at Reseda Recreation Center in Reseda at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. Initially police reported the mans age as 25, then 40, but the Los Angeles County Coroner's office said he was 28 years of age.

Deputy Chief Michel Moore of the LAPD's Operations-Valley Bureau said at a news conference Saturday afternoon that McCray was attending a football game at the park at Reseda and Victory boulevards, when he was involved in an argument with a group of people. Spectators told McCray and the group to leave the game. Shortly after, McCray was shot. Authorities said he was taken to Northridge Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A second man also was struck by gunfire and taken to a nearby hospital. He was described only as a 20-year-old black man. "We are hopeful that he survives from his injuries," Moore said. The relationship of the two men was unknown, authorities said. 

A day after the shooting, the Los Angeles Police Department sought the public's help in locating Andrew Lee Thomas Jr., 20, pictured right. Police described Thomas Jr. as a black man, stands at 5 feet, 8 inches and weighs about 150 pounds. Police said Thomas Jr. is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call West Valley homicide detectives at (818) 374-7730. Callers can remain anonymous.

Alfred Dean Prowell, 44

Alfred Dean Prowell, 44, a black man, was shot several times about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, while sitting in his car in the 1800 block of east 22nd Street in Los Angeles. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to Los Angeles Police Department officials, Prowell was sitting in his car when someone approached and shot him.  Police said Prowell got out of his vehicle and collapsed on the street.

Authorities do not know whether the shooter fled on foot or by car. There was no description of the assailant. 

Peter Poole, 25

Peter Poole, 25, a black man, was shot several times at 420 N. La Brea in Inglewood on Saturday, Aug. 23. The L.A. County Coroner's office listed his time of death as 1:13 a.m. that day.

Kevin Williams, 30

Kevin Williams, 30, a black man, was fatally shot about 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the 3100 block of Euclid Avenue in Lynwood, authorities said. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating his death.

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

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Anthony De La Riva, 21

                         

Anthony De La Riva, 21, a Latino man, was shot and killed at Janine Drive and La Puebla Street in Whittier about 8:37 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21.

According to Whittier Police Department officials, De La Riva was returning home with his girlfriend and child in their white Chevy Impala and was about to make a U-Turn at the intersection when a white 4-door vehicle pulled in front of his car.  A Latino man then exited the car, walked over, and shot De La Riva several times, authorities said. The gunman then got back in the car and sped off north on La Puebla Street.  De La Riva's girlfriend and child who were inside the car were not injured in the shooting, police said.  De La Riva was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone  with information about the shooting can call the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250. Callers can remain anonymous.

Photo: Vigil candles and flowers were left in memory of De La Riva. The words "I Love you" had been written on each candle, and R.I.P. on the curb

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Lamere Cook, 38

Lamere Cook, 38, a black man, was shot and killed outside of his home in the 400 block of East 118th Place in South Los Angeles Tuesday, Aug. 21. The L.A. County Coroner's office listed his time of death as 11:39 a.m. that day.

Rita Wiley, 70

Rita Wiley, 70, a black woman, was found dead about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, in the 1000 block of East 15th Street in Long Beach. She was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Nancy Pratt of the Long Beach Police Department said the woman's roommate found Wiley in the backyard when she returned home.

Detectives said Wiley died of multiple injuries and stab wounds.  Pratt said police were not releasing details about her injuries. She said the L.A. County coroner's office will report the cause of death.

Later Thursday, Long Beach police arrested Andrew Felton Odom, a 40-year-old black man, on suspicion of murder. Authorities said Wiley and Odom had a longstanding platonic relationship. The L.A. County District Attorney's office said Odom was charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance of murder committed during a robbery.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Jonathan Muse, 17

Jonathan Joseph Muse, a 17-year-old white youth, was fatally shot while riding his bicycle on Pioneer Boulevard at the 91 Freeway underpass in Artesia about 12:10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20. The teen was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. More on the Artesia shooting.

Anyone with information can call detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Callers can remain anonymous.

John Wesley Steen , 58

John Wesley Steen, 58, a black man, was beaten to death at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in the 1100 block of East 103rd Place in South Los Angeles, authorities said.

Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Division are investigating his death.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Jennifer Avina Ortega, 20

Jennifer Avina Ortega, 20, a Latina woman, was shot about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in the 1800 block of East Villa Street in Pasadena. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Pasadena Police Department said officers responded to a radio call of shots fired and a woman calling for help.  Upon arrival, officers found the woman, later identified as Avina, lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound.  Police did not have further details about the shooting, but asked anyone with information about incident to call Pasadena police detectives at (626) 744-4522.

Robert Lett, 18

Robert Lett, 18, a young black man was shot at Langport Avenue and East 56th Way in Long Beach about 10:25 p.m.  Tuesday, Aug. 19. See dispatch.

Reynaldo Barnes, 51

Reynaldo Barnes, 51, a black man was stabbed to death in the 700 block of West 131st Street in Compton about 9:34 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about the stabbing can call sheriff homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. Callers can remain anonymous.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Jose Villela, 34

Jose Villela, 34, a Latino man, was fatally shot at 5:40 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at Plata and Coronado streets in Echo Park, authorities said.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division who responded to a call about an assault with a deadly weapon found Villela on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest, according to an LAPD statement.

Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced Villela dead at the scene. Villela reportedly had gotten out of his car when a Latino man and woman in a tan 2002-03 Chevrolet Suburban pulled up next to him, police said. The man, who was the passenger, allegedly shot Villela. The pair then drove away west on Coronado Street.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Rampart Division homicide Dets. Julian Pere or Ysais Valdez at (213) 484-3050.

(You have reached the end of the weekly listing of homicide victims in Los Angeles County, Aug. 18 -24, 2008.)

-Ruben Vives/ Los Angeles Times

'Keep in mind'

Nineteen-year-old Kimberly Bonds cherished life.

Bonds' friend, Marguerite Gray, 33, said she liked taking pictures of landscapes. Gray said Bonds was attending Cal State Dominguez Hills to become a professional photographer.

"One thing I definitely remember is that she loved taking pictures," said Bonds' sister, Candi Bobbitt, 25. "If a tree [swayed] one way, she would take a picture."

Bonds, the youngest of four girls, graduated from Centennial High School in Compton, where she played basketball. She loved children and befriended almost every child at the South Bay Villa Apartment complex in Athens, where she lived with Gray.

At home, Gray said Bonds would call her 7-month-old nephew, Tyler, pictured left, her best friend. Bobbitt said that her sister would call her 1-year-old son her soul mate. Now, Bobbitt, who lives in St. Louis, said she cries when she looks at her son.

On Sunday, July 13, Bonds was walking home along San Pedro Street when she stopped to talk with friends in front of her apartment complex, said Gray. Two black men walked out of an alley across from the complex. Then, the men began shooting at rival gang members standing near her. Gray said Bonds, attempting to take cover, was struck by gunfire.  Friends told Gray that they had taken Bonds to the hospital. An ambulance had been called but Gray said it took too long. Hours later, Bonds was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The next day, Gray held a vigil for Bonds. She printed pictures of her and taped them to the security gate by the driveway, where Bonds had collapsed. Flowers and glass-encased vigil candles were also placed next to the patch of grass in her memory.

"I put her pictures up so that [the shooters] can see what kind of life they took away," Gray said. "She can't finish school now. This baby was going to school."

In the kitchen of her apartment, with her children nearby, Gray said she was grateful to Bonds. Gray said Bonds had spoken to her 15-year-old son who was starting to wear red clothing, a color associated with the Bloods gang. Gray said that her son was also staying out late, but after Bonds spoke to him, he stopped wearing red clothing and started staying home.  "I thank her so much because my son stays home," Gray said.

In the kitchen, Gray's nephew, Tyler, starts to crawl for the first time. Behind her, on a bookshelf, is a piece of paper with the acronym K.I.M. 

"It means 'Keep in mind,'" Gray's daughter said.

Update: An earlier version of this story referred to Kimberly Bonds' sister as Brandi Bobbit. Her first name is Candi.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Weekly homicide list update

                     

The weekly homicide lists for July has been updated. You can click on the July 2008 archive to go over the list of names provided by the L.A. County coroner's office.

In July, there were 60 homicides reported in L.A. County. Six of those homicides are being excluded from the Homicide Report because the cause of death in those cases have not been determined. Additionally, other victims may not be listed as HR seeks further information about the homicides.

Above: The first annual of Life After Uncivil Ruthless Acts, a unity and peace resource fair held this past March at Fred Roberts Park in South Los Angeles. The fair was put together by Adela Barrajas in memory of her sister-in-law, Laura Sanchez.  Eighty-three white crosses were placed in the ground that day, each cross represented a homicide victim.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Lancaster: Woman is stabbed

A white woman was stabbed to death about 8:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at 27th Street and Avenue H-8 in Lancaster.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's homicide bureau are investigating the killing.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

'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 

'We need your help'

Community leaders held a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Imperial Highway and Western Avenue  in response to a spate of shootings in the Athens-Westmont area.

On Sunday night, Aug. 10, four Latino men were shot at the intersection. One died at the scene, two others a nearby hospital. At least two of the men were brothers.

The next day, 17-year-old Eric Sims, a black youth, was riding his bicycle when he was shot to death in the area. Authorities said the shootings were unrelated.

"We are here because three young men forfeited their lives to this madness Sunday night," said Lita Herron of the Youth Advocacy Coalition and the Cease Fire Committee, an anti-violence support group. "We come to find out this morning that a 17-year-old was killed last night. We've had enough, we've had more than enough."

Herron and civil rights leaders called on elected officials to start speaking out against the shootings and to create more evening youth programs. Herron also called on youths, who often are the perpetrators and victims of homicides, to help end gun violence.

"We need your help," she said. "You know who the shooters are among you. You know this element. It's time to shun it. It's time to shun the behavior that killed your friends. It's time to shun the behavior that killed your family members. It's time to shun the behavior that killed your classmates."

Shortly after the news conference, community leaders gave a final prayer. "Guns down," said Eddie Jones of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Assn. "We pray for the guns to be put down."

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

'This is ours'

            

Eric Sims, 17, a black youth, was shot and killed near Budlong Avenue and 109th Street in South Los Angeles about 8:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11.

In a statement from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, officials said Sims was riding his bicycle when a dark-colored compact car pulled up next to him and one of two Latino men inside the car fired at Sims, striking him in the lower torso, authorities said. The two men fled.

Sims' friend, Marquece Galloway, 18, said Sims had just left Galloway's home. "Thirty-seconds later I heard gunshots," Galloway said. "I ran out the street, and I saw him lying on the floor."  Galloway said he went to his friend's aide but didn't want to touch him. "He was trying to talk, but nothing came out," said Galloway softly, his eyes red.

Sims collapsed near the playground of Woodcrest Elementary School. Neighbors said they heard about six to eight shots. Resident Lynda Carruthers, 58, walked across the street to the school's gate. She tied a yellow paper sign with the words "Thou shall not kill" to the gate.

"Some people need a reminder," she told her other neighbors.

Residents in the 1100 block of 109th Street said they owned the block. There has never been a shooting incident there. "Between Vermont and Budlong, this is ours," Carruthers said.

Now, 28-year-old Rosaura Suarez said her children are not going to be playing outside. "They're going to have to stay inside the house," she said. Suarez said her 9-year-old daughter saw Sims lying on the sidewalk. "She didn't want to sleep alone, so she slept with me," Suarez said.

Galloway said Sims was goofy and never stepped back from a challenge. He said Sims played football at Washington Preparatory High School, about a block away from where he was shot. He said Sims lived with his aunt and had recently returned from Apple Valley, where his mother lived.

When asked why anyone would shoot a football player, Galloway said he believed that Sims' death was a racially motivated retaliation for an attack on Imperial Highway and Western Avenue on Sunday night, Aug. 10, in which three Latino men were shot dead. But the shooter in that incident was described by authorities as a Latino man.

Two men who live in the area said they had often seen Sims in the neighborhood.

"Just make sure you let people know that [Sims] didn't bang," one of the men said.

Update: The name of the elementary school is Woodcrest, not Crestwood.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Victims, Aug. 12 - 17

The following posts represent the victims of homicide in Los Angeles County for the period of Aug. 12-17, 2008

Byron Morales, 32

Byron Morales, 32 and Ernest Cardarelli, 29, both Latino men, were found shot to death in the 2000 block of South Santa Fe Avenue, near a strip club, about 4:20 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, according to Spokeswoman Officer Norma Eisenman of LAPD's media relation's office. She said there were no suspects.

Jerry Huang, 39

Jerry Huang, 39, an Asian man, was killed at 1:16 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, in the 9600 Block of Flaire Drive in El Monte.

Huang was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's homicide bureau are investigating.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Ernest Joel Cardarelli, 29

Ernest Joel Cardarelli, 29, a Latino man, is the second victim of a double homicide listed above.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times