Lakeview Terrace: Man, 18, is found shot to death

The body of an 18-year-old Latino man with multiple gunshot wounds was found in the frontyard of a home in the 17000 block of Sunburst Street at 1:44 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.

Two people driving in the area found the victim, Roel Mejia of Reseda, lying on the ground, said Officer Marjan Mobasser of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"They got out to see if he was OK and saw that he had blood all over," Mobasser said.

Paramedics pronounced Mejia dead at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD's Devonshire Division station at (818) 832-0633.

—Esmeralda Bermudez

Industry: Unidentified man is found shot to death

An unidentified Latino man was found dead of a single gunshot wound to his chest in the 3200 block of Gilman Road about 9:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

Sheriff's deputies were patrolling a large concert at the Gilman Horse Ranch when they heard gunshots and began searching the area, said Deputy Byron Ward of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. They found the man, who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

No further details were available, and anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

—Francisco Vara-Orta

South L.A.: Man, 45, is killed in drive-by shooting

A 45-year-old black man was walking down the street when an occupant in a blue compact car fired multiple shots at him in the area of Denver Avenue at 59th Street at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.

The car then sped off down 59th Street, traveling east. The victim, whose name was not immediately released, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment. He was admitted to the hospital and died there one week later, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide Det. C. Braudrick or Officer R. Garza at (213) 485-1383. After hours or weekends call (877) LAWFULL.

Mar Vista: Man, 22, is fatally shot in alley

Braylon Williams, a 22-year-old black man, was fatally shot in an alley in the Mar Vista Gardens housing project in the 4800 block of Marionwood Drive about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Los Angeles Police Department detectives said he was in the alley behind the complex when he was approached from behind by a gunman. The assailant fired a pistol, hitting Williams several times.

Police said the motive for the crime appears related to gang activity. The suspect was described as a Latino man, 18 to 20 years old, of medium height and build, wearing a black sweatshirt. He was last seen running along a flood control fence.

Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect is asked to call Pacific Division homicide detectives at (310) 482-6813.

—Andrew Blankstein

Update:

LAPD officials appealing for the public's help in solving this killing said they believe it is a gang-retaliation shooting. Lt John Romero said Williams was a gang member from outside the Mar Vista Gardens area visiting his girlfriend when he was shot multiple times with a 9-mm pistol. The assailant was described as a 16- to 18-year-old male Latino, about 5-feet-5 and weighing 150 pounds.

—Richard Winton   

Northridge: Woman, 19, is struck and killed by a car

An unidentified 19-year-old woman from Palmdale was killed when she was struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk at Devonshire Street and Lindley Avenue in Northridge about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Los Angeles police later arrested a 42-year-old Northridge woman on suspicion of manslaughter and driving under the influence.

—Molly Hennessy-Fiske

Compton: Two men, 20 and 24, are shot at Metro Blue Line station

Two unidentified black men, ages 20 and 24, were killed when a gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon at the Metro Blue Line station in the 200 block of Willowbrook Avenue at 6:36 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said no one has been arrested.

—Molly Hennessy-Fiske

UPDATE: The two men who were killed were identified Friday, Sept. 26, by the Los Angeles County coroner's office as Terry Dozier, 24, of Los Angeles, and Debruce Smith, 20, of Compton. They died at the scene of the shooting.

Bell Gardens: Boy, 15, is shot to death at park

A 15-year-old Latino boy, Michael Cardenas, was shot to death Tuesday night at Veterans Park in Bell Gardens.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said they have no motive or suspect.

—Molly Hennessy-Fiske

La Puente: Man, 30, is stabbed to death

An unidentified 30-year-old Latino man was found stabbed to death near La Puente Road and Nogales Street at 10:19 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said they have no motive or suspect.

—Molly Hennessy-Fiske

South L.A.: Man, 32, is fatally shot on the street

Khary Kidd, 32, of Willowbrook, a black man, was shot several times Friday, Sept. 12, near San Pedro Street and Century Boulevard in South Los Angeles.

Kidd was walking with friends near the intersection when they were shot at by an unidentified gunman. Kidd and the others were hit and taken to a hospital. Kidd died four days later.

—Andrew Blankstein

Lennox: Man, 38, is fatally shot in carport

Steven Bertrand, a 38-year-old black man, was found shot to death in the 1000 block of South 110th Street in unincorporated Lennox on Friday, Sept. 21.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said Bertrand was in a carport when he was killed.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

—Andrew Blankstein

Long Beach: 14-month-old boy is found dead in trash bin

A 14-month-old black boy was found dead in a trash bin in downtown Long Beach by someone  looking for cans and bottles to recycle. Nathan Coleman's battered body was found near Third Street and Linden Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. Sept. 19.

Shortly before the toddler's body was discovered, a woman reported a child had been kidnapped. The boyfriend of the child's mother was arrested about 20 minutes after the discovery of the tiny, lifeless body.

Anthony Jerome Hall Jr., a 22-year-old black man, was charged Tuesday, Sept. 23, with the boy's murder, as well as one count each of assault on a child causing death and child abuse.

The boy may have died in downtown Los Angeles and then been taken to Long Beach, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Dets. Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7244.

—Richard Winton

Long Beach: Man, 24, is fatally shot by bicyclists

Salvador Murillo, a 24-year-old Latino man, was gunned down by two males on bicycles in the 1200 block of East Doidge Court shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Police found Murillo with gunshot wounds to his body, and he later was pronounced dead at a hospital. The motive for the shooting is under investigation, but detectives believe it is gang-related.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has any information about it is asked to call Dets. Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7244.

—Richard Winton

East L.A.: Man, 38, is fatally shot

Edward Ochoa, a 38-year-old Latino man, died after being repeatedly shot  in an alley in the 800 block of North Herbert Avenue at 10:54 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said Ochoa was inside his girlfriend's home when another man arrived and called out his name. The victim told his girlfriend he knew the man and walked outside to meet him.

Moments later, five gunshots were fired. Ochoa's girlfriend ran outside, where she saw her boyfriend on the sidewalk bleeding from gunshot wounds to his upper body. Ochoa was pronounced dead 15 minutes after authorities arrived.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call homicide investigators at (323) 890-5500.

—Andrew Blankstein

Lakewood: Woman, 25, is fatally stabbed

A 25-year-old Latina, Ana Funez, died of multiple stab wounds to her abdomen and possible strangulation in the 5000 block of Hayter Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 13, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

No other details were available.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Castaic: Man, 46, dies from 2006 assault in inmate disturbance

Anthony Hawkins, a 46-year-old black man, was beaten to death in the 29300 block of The Old Road on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Feb. 4, 2006, and died Wednesday, Sept. 10, authorities said.

--Amanda Covarrubias

UPDATE: Hawkins was assaulted and stabbed in a racially motivated inmate disturbance at the Peter Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic in 2006 and was hospitalized. He remained in the hospital over the past two years until he died Sept. 10 from the serious injuries he suffered in the attack, said Sgt. Darren Harris, of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's Santa Clarita station. Homicide detectives are investigating the death to determine what charges might be filed against Hawkins' assailants, Harris said.

Westmont: Man, 18, is fatally shot

Jaime Alvarado, an 18-year-old Latino man, died after he was shot twice in the chest in the 1200 block of Geddes Street in the unincorporated Westmont section of Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 14.

This information was supplied by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. No word yet from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department about what happened or how its investigation is going.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Koreatown: Man, 28, is shot outside a party

Alfredo Enriquez, 20, a Latino man, was shot to death outside a party at an apartment near Catalina Street and James M. Wood Boulevard in the heart of Koreatown about 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept 21.

Homicide detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Division said police were called to the intersection, where they found Enriquez dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses told investigators that Enriquez exchanged words with several people, which led to a fight and gunfire.

Investigators believe the shooting is tied to gangs, although they have no suspects in custody and no motive. Anyone with information is asked to call (213) 473-0446 or leave an anonymous tip at (877) LAW-FULL.

—Andrew Blankstein

CORRECTION: The Los Angeles County coroner's office has identified the victim as Jose Enriquez Mendez, 28. He also went by the name Jose Alfredo Enriquez, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

USC area: Student, 23, is fatally stabbed

Bryan Richard Frost, 23, a USC film student, died of stab wounds suffered in a fight near 28th Street and Orchard Avenue about 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

The Idaho native was walking with two other students when the struggle occurred.

UPDATE: Travion Terrett Ford, 24, was arrested on suspicion of murder for the attack that police said was not gang-related. Police also said that they had recovered a knife they believe was used to kill the student and that they were questioning a female companion of the suspect.

—Jia-Rui Chong

Rancho Dominguez: Man, 49, is found dead in trunk of burning car

A 49-year-old black man was found dead in the trunk of his burning car in the 19200 block of Laurel Park Road on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Investigators know little about the victim, Antonio Greene, except that he was unemployed and from the Los Angeles area. His parents and siblings reported him missing on the day his body was discovered by firefighters, who were called to the car fire.

Homicide Det. Kevin Lowe of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Greene was a big man and probably didn't get into the trunk without a fight. Detectives have no suspects and no motive for the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Lowe at (323) 890-5500.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Inglewood: Man, 29, is fatally shot

Donald McTier Jr., a 29-year-old Latino man, died after he was shot in the head in the 900 block of West Beach Avenue on Friday, Sept. 12.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office had no more information, and the Inglewood Police Department did not return a phone call seeking details.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Newton area: Woman dies after being set afire

Los Angeles police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman who died after being set on fire in the 1300 block of E. 15th Street about 7 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 11.

Firefighters discovered the severely burned body of the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim is believed to be Asian or Latino and in her late teens to mid-20s. Police released a picture of a homemade tattoo on the back of the victim's neck, featuring the name "Carlos" surrounded by swirls. Investigators ask that anyone with information call the Newton area homicide division at (323) 846-6556.

--Andrew Blankstein

Athens: Unidentified man is found shot in carport

An unidentified black man was shot to death in a carport in the 1000 block of 110th Street at 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and police have no suspects, said Deputy Ed Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Authorities said the fatal shooting is the latest incident in what  has turned out to be a violent and deadly summer for Athens, an unincorporated district of Los Angeles County.

On Friday night, a 12-year-old girl and a 19-year-old former student were shot multiple times in a parking lot of the gym at Washington Preparatory High School in Athens after a football game, officials said. Both victims, who were not identified, survived. Four people were arrested in the shooting, which was believed to be gang-related, said Det. Steve Pratt of the Sheriff’s Department.

In August, three men, Jose Alfredo Farias, 24, his brother Victor Manuel Farias, 25, and Vidal Hernandez Rebolledo, 23, were fatally shot at Imperial Highway and Western Avenue in the Athens-Westmont area, according to the Sheriff’s Department. A few weeks later, Henry Watts, 28, was shot multiple times in the 1200 block of West 120th Street near Vermont Avenue, Sheriff’s Department officials said. He died the next day in a hospital.

In July, Kimberly Bonds, 19, was fatally shot in the 13000 block of S. San Pedro Street in Athens Village. The same month, Adiel Quezada, 17, was found dead in a parking lot near an Athens market. He had been shot several times outside the store in the 13800 block of Avalon Boulevard,  authorities  said.

In June, Emitt Love Jr., 25, was found shot to death at a bus stop near Century Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Athens. Anyone with information about any of the shootings is asked to call Sheriff's Department homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

—Francisco Vara-Orta

East L.A.: Man, 40, found in alley dies of head trauma

Guillermo Valencia, a 40-year-old Latino man, was found unconscious in an alley in the 4700 block of Whittier Boulevard about 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

He died in a hospital two days later of trauma to his head, said homicide Det. Tim Cain of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Cain said the area where Valencia was found is a busy shopping district. He has few leads on the case and is asking for the public's help in finding the assailant.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (323) 890-5500.

—Amanda Covarrubias 

Southeast Los Angeles: Woman, 26, is shot in alley

A 26-year-old Latino woman was shot and killed in alley behind the 900 block of East 92nd Street about 7:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

Grace Connie Mattos had been shot once in the upper torso, said investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department. Paramedics attempted to treat her before she was taken to Saint Francis Hospital. She was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later. The suspects were still at large and little was known about them.

Anyone with information is asked to call the department's South Bureau homicide division at (213) 485-4341.

—Andrew Blankstein

Westmont: Boy, 15, is shot to death

Demetre Love, a 15-year-old black boy, died of a gunshot wound to his head in the 1000 block of West 110th Street in Westmont on Monday, Sept. 8.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Compton: Man, 18, is shot to death

James Fleming, 18, a black man, was shot outside his home in the 15700 block of Tarrant Avenue in Compton. The Los Angeles County coroner's office listed his time of death as 12:56 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8.

—Amanda Covarrubias

Silver Lake: Man, 44, is fatally stabbed

Mario Abad, a 44-year-old Latino, was found with multiple stab wounds at Silver Lake and Sunset boulevards at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Abad died of the wounds to his chest the next day.

The assailant is still at large, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

—Richard Winton

L.A.: Boy, 16, is fatally shot

Cesar Butron, a 16-year-old Latino, died of multiple gunshot wounds in the 3200 block of 8th Street in  Los Angeles at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Detectives have few leads but say the gunmen are described as three to five Latino males.

—Richard Winton

Harbor City: Woman, 22, is found fatally shot in alley

The body of Shanta Lucero of Long Beach, a 22-year-old Latina, was found by a security guard at the rear of a building in the 1300 block of Alameda Boulevard in Harbor City about midnight Sunday, Sept. 14.

Lucero died of multiple gunshot wounds and probably was dumped in the alley, police said. The young woman had testified three years ago in an attempted murder trial in Long Beach against Javier Bocanegra. He was convicted of attempted murder of his girlfriend, Quennie Reyna, of Long Beach, and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

According to an appeals court document, Lucero testified that Bocanegra and Reyna were living in an apartment on Canal Street in Long Beach. On Sept. 24, 2004, Lucero and another friend drove to the apartment about 8 p.m. to pick up Reyna. Lucero said in the document that they were planning to go "cruising" to "look for guys."

When Lucero arrived, Reyna emerged from the apartment barefoot and got into the car. A few minutes later, Reyna went back in and came out again, followed by Bocanegra. They were arguing, Lucero said.

Bocanegra told Reyna she was not going to leave, and Reyna said she was. Reyna started to get back into the car. He went back into the house. He came out, pulled out a shotgun and pointed it at Reyna’s head. Lucero stood between Reyna and Bocanegra and told him to put the gun away. Reyna told him to stop playing around. He then shot Reyna and took off running.

On cross-examination, Lucero admitted she was using methamphetamine at the time and had taken enough to get high, according to court records.

—Richard Winton

L.A.: Man, 52, is shot on bicycle

Ladislao Chavez, 52, a Latino male, died when he was shot in the head as he was riding a bicycle in the 11000 block of South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles shortly after 12:35 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

Police said the gunman was a black man who fled in a green Mercury.

—Richard Winton