Highland Park: Boy, 17, is killed in probable gang-related shooting

Adrian Betancor, a 17-year-old Latino, was killed in what police are calling a probable gang-related shooting in the 5700 block of Marmion Way about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Few details about the shooting were immediately available, but Det. Larry Burcher of the Los Angeles Police Department's Northeast station homicide division said that Betancor died at a hospital and that a 19-year-old victim, Joey Chavez, was hospitalized and expected to survive.

No one has been arrested, but the motive for the shooting was believed to be gang-related, Burcher said. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at the LAPD's Northeast station at (213) 847-4261 or the 24-hour toll-free line (877) LAWFULL. Tips can also now be sent via text messaging to the number 274637. In the message, type "LAPD" and whatever the tip is. It will be encoded with an anonymous ID, Burcher said.

—Francisco Vara-Orta

Comments

[Kim Smith]

Gangs seem to be taking over communities making it very unsafe for our children and elders to live. It's unforunate that society has now fallen prey to these individual that have no remorse for what they are doing by the crimes and murders they are commiting. Families are suffering by the lost oflove ones when others are going out to retaliate only to make matters worse. Lets begin to think of the hurt and pain and come up withresolutions to put thisviolence to an end.

[HLP resident]

This boy had his funeral yesterday. Appears to have been a father of two. May he rest in peace, and may his children and partner have a more positive future.

[Abigail Sanchez]

My heartfelt condolensces to this young man's family. May he rest in peace.

[HLP REPRESENTATIVE]

Its been exactly one year since he's been gone and his new child is now 7 months old and his other son is 2 both I like his family miss him. Though we get through the day assured he is in heaven and that the person who is responsible for his death is incarcarated. Joey is fine and making his life away from gangs and trouble he was given a second chance he is not taking for granted. WE MISS U ADRIAN R.I.P.