Vernon Washington, 19

Vernon Washington, 19, a young black man, was shot at Central Avenue and 50th Street in South-Central Los Angeles about 8:18 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. Washington was taken by ambulance to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

According to Officer Ana Aguirre of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office, a black man approached Washington and another black man, then asked what gang they belonged to. The assailant then shot both Washington and the other man, Aguirre said.  She said the only description of the shooter is that he was a black man.

The second wounded man was taken to a local hospital, where he is recovering.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Newton Division homicide detectives at (323) 846-6547. Callers can remain anonymous.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Keisha]

Vernon Washington was my baby brother and it pains my heart every day to live with the fact that someone took his life. Vernon was a child of God and Nobody on this earth has the right to take anyones life that decision is made up by God and only God! We as African American's need to gain some unity. Our ancestors died for OUR freedom and we repay them by taking eachothers lives? This is an OUTRAGE and a DISGRACE to ourselves and our ancestors!! Whoever did this awful crime will pay, wheather it is in this life or the next they will pay!!! I also would like to urge anyone who knows anything about this HOMICIDE of my baby brother to come forward and help get this demon off of the streets before he strikes again. God is on our side!!

[martikaa brooks]

who ever did this awful thing to my cousin will get theres not by me but GOD and thats a promise....
Vernon was my favorite cuzzo we did so many crazy things together i remember wen our granddaddy got on us about breaking his mirror in his room wit a basketball... me and vernon where so scared lol man theres so many things i can remember me and my cousin doin but hes now in a betta place... i ratha him be in heaven where he belongs den be on dis earth wit all dis nonsense... i love n miss my cousin so much and he will alway be remembered.............. love his lil cousin Tika

[martikaa brooks]

who ever did this awful thing to my cousin will get theres not by me but GOD and thats a promise....
Vernon was my favorite cuzzo we did so many crazy things together i remember wen our granddaddy got on us about breaking his mirror in his room wit a basketball... me and vernon where so scared lol man theres so many things i can remember me and my cousin doin but hes now in a betta place... i ratha him be in heaven where he belongs den be on dis earth wit all dis nonsense... i love n miss my cousin so much and he will alway be remembered.............. love his lil cousin Tika

[Tomika]

I am also a cousin of Vernon, actually the daughter of one of the previous bloggers. We have all been very sad and bothered by the fact that he was trying to do good things in his life. It is very unfortunate that at 19, his life has come to a horrible ending. The only good thing that I can pull from this is that my grandfather did not live to see this as it would have killed him. Thank you for this report and all reports like it. We have to remember that all of these people were sons, daughters and family to someone. Those of us who have to explain to our children why a family member has died this way are the victims. R.I.P Vernon, you were and still are loved!

[kanisha]

vernon washington was my cousin i always used to go to his house. I wish i could go back in to times and change and tell Vernon to stay home

[The Washington Family]

I am Vernon T. Washington's Aunt. My Husband and I were his God Parents.We had him blessed at Nineveh Baptist Church in the summer of 1989.He also attended True Light Baptist Church with my Husband & I where he was crowned the Prince of True Light in1998.
He attended Community Magnet Elem,Bethune Middle School,Crenshaw High, and at the time of his death he was a student at Trade Tech College .He was a person not a thing. He was loved by his family members.We will always have him in our hearts.He did not deserve to die in this manner.He is survied by his Mother,Sister and a host of family and friends. We pray justice will be served.

[alcapone]

Vernon didnt deserve this. The fool who did this senseless crime didn't care that he shot them while they sat on the porch of 90 year old woman. I hope the shooter rot in hell!!!

[Foclipz]

god take him in ur arms