Cypress Park: Victor Solis, 24 [UPDATED]

 Victor Solis, a 24-year-old Latino, was shot Saturday, May 2, about 1:45 p.m. in the 1600 block of Pepper Avenue in Cypress Park, according to Los Angeles police.

Solis was a passenger in a vehicle, and someone approached the car, officials said.

"Words were exchanged and the suspect produced a handgun and opened fire," said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

Solis was taken to the hospital where he died Sunday, May 3, according to coroner's records.

[An earlier version of this post incorrectly said that Solis was shot the same day he died.]

Update: On Monday, May 11, Los Angeles police arrested Joshua Ricardo Galindez, an 18-year old Latino, in connection with Solis' killing. His arrest came a four days after police apprehended Adrian Martinez, a 21-year old Latino, also in connection with the shooting death of Solis.

"Both suspects were believed to be gang members and a danger to the community," according to an LAPD news release. Authorities said they believed Galindez was the shooter.

Galindez was arrested in the 3200 block of Granada St. shortly after 5:30 p.m., according to police records. He is being held without bail at Men's Central Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 28, according to sheriff's records.

Martinez was arrested in the 6500 block of W. 6th St. shortly after noon on Thursday, May 7, according to police records. He is being held on $3 million bond at Men's Central Jail. He is scheduled to appear next in court on May 21.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact LAPD Northeast Division detectives at 213-847-4261.

-- Anthony Pesce and Megan Garvey

Comments

[Echo Park Lifer]

Don't think 1600 Pepper is a possibility as one is already in the 30s Avenues up there. Speaking of The Avenues, maybe they or the Cypress Park gang is responsible.

[Pamela]

This young man Victor Solis was a wonderful person who was a a loving son, and wonderful brother. He was about to be married and was going back to college. He was a model citizen who helped anyone that asked. We need to know that he had nothing to do with gangs, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a terrible tragedy that for no reason his life was taken from him and from his family and friends!!

[Tony]

You guys need to start executing gang members and murderers. You waste so much money keeping them well fed and healthy in prison. The prisons are over crowded, so you are forced to let many out. They come out of prison worse than when they went in and are much more dangerous to society.

[Silvia M de Oca]

there are no words to explain what type of person Victor Solis was. He was a wonderful person.
He helped everyone that came his way. He cared so much about other people other then himself. Unlike other people he had plans in life. He was a working man. He earned everything he had. He worked hard to get by. He was going to get married and begin his life. He didnt deserve to get his life taken away the way he did. He was an angel. I love you victor. A loving brother and son.

[bearson bear]

It is ashame you all have so many gangs there, lost of
life at a young age. I would hate to live like that.

Just a comment.
Albuquerque, New Mexico

[yesenia]

who ever shot victor might think that they hurt him,but they really didn't they might of touched his body but not his soul or his spirit he left all that with us the people who loved him and all we ever needed was one of his smiles to let us know that he would always be okay, and im sure his ok now.

[Adriana H]

There are no words to describe the damage that has aroused from this tragedy. Victor and I were to be married this year on the 12th of september. He had a future to look forward to, I had a future with him and from an hour to the next our lives were changed completely by a careless act. To sum it up basically Victor was at the wrong place at the wrong time and there isn't a better way to describe it.

I can't help but to think how ironic this whole thing is. He did loss prevention for Rite Aid and he would catch kids and adults stealing all the time. There were times when he would get home and tell me that he had caught a young boy stealing matching the "gangster" characteristic, bald, white shirt, shorts, high socks, and probably already had a record, but he would always let them go and I would get so mad at him for letting them go. He would just look at me and smile and tell me that he would sit with them and try to talk to them and try to make them realize what they were doing with their lives. That they were young and that they had the rest of their lives to live and it shouldn't be ruined by a careless act, even though the careless act he would see was them stealing candy bars or other little worthless things.

It truly is sad that it just so happened that a young man like the kind that he would try to help was the one that took Victor's life. It's sad to think that this is the only way that society realizes the truth, by someone else risking their own life. Everyday someone's life is put out there to be tested and I do not wish this pain on anyone. The pain for his parents to bury the first life that they had brought into this world. The pain for his siblings of losing that extra strength. The pain for his friends to not be able to have that shoulder to lean on. The pain that I feel each and every minute of knowing that my future was taking away like nothing, something we worked so hard for, gone just like that.

Life goes on and from a negative there is always a positive. So I ask for people to realize what is truly going on in our cities because that day it was Victor, someone far from this issue, who knows who it might be tomorrow.

[cristina solis]

i really hope and pray to god that the people that did this to my loving brother get what they deserve by the law. these kind of people...its even hard to call them people are danger to our community..my brother was the most wonderful person ever he was more like my best friend. i would never wish for anyone to go through what my family and i are going though right now, thats why these gangsters need to be off our streets. i never had an older sister but he was like my older sister when ever i needed advice he would always be there. its so hard to live with out him...

[Silvia Solis]

there still aren't any words to explain our loss. Victor was my older brother. He was such a great person to everyone.
He always gave me advice in everything.He didnt't deserve it.
He had plans. He had a life and most of all he had a wonderful future ahead of him. We all mss him so much. I think that even though time is still passing and its already been about 3 weks that this terrible tragedy has happend it has just gotten harder for all of us. We are begining to miss him being around, we are begining to realize that he is gone, the litle ones are wondering why he isnt around anymore. The people who are responsible for this should pay. They should be punished so bad for what they did. They took someone that ment so much to all of us, away. These people dont deserve to walk our streets. They should be put away. Victor, brother i miss you so much. i love you

[CYPSxPRK]

FREE RICARDO HES INNOCENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yesenia garcia]

Why should they free Ricardo Galindez??. If it wasn't him then he must know who did it right so he's as guilty for not say who it was therefore he should also be punished, and how could you write something like that in a place where people who loved my cusin "vic" write all their sweet memories of him and discibe how hurt they are because a "person" who decided to take his life away.

[yesenia garcia]

if it wasn't Ricardo Galindez then he should know who did it right ?? and by not saying it he's just as guilty and they should be punished,and how could you write a comment like that on a page where everyone who loved "vic" shares their love and admiration for him and discribe how hurt and sad they are that "people"could just come and decide to take his life away.

[yesenia]

you say it wasn't Ricardo Galindez and that he is innocent then im sure he knows who really did it right??? and if he doesnt say it that makes him just as giulty,and how could you write a comment like that on a page were all of us who love "vic" express our sadness and all the great memmories,respect and admiration for him,and how sad it is that these"PEOPLE" thought they had the "right" to take someones life away.

[highland park]

DONT FREE RICARDO OR THE OTHER GUY IN WITH HIM EVEN IF THET DIDNT DO IT THEY SURE KNOW WHO DID IT AND ANOTHER LIFE SAVED BY KEEPING THEM IN JAIL WERE THEY BELONG!!!

[yesenia g]

i miss ur smile vic i love you

[John Doe]

I can understand the pain of this sudden loss. No one has the right to take anothers life. I feel for the boys family, but obiously he had trouble choosing his friends wisely. I just hope all young people learn from this, any time you let get in a car remember you are giving full control over your life to the person behind the wheel. Who is stearing your wheel?
Why play this foolish game if you guys can't keep up, why haven't any of you learned???

[Susana]

Although there isn't anyone that will replace Victor niether are there any words that will explain how my family, friends and relatives feel such sadness that he was killed. Victor was my older brother. He was such a wonderful and beautiful human being. He taught me so much i was proud i had someone to go to for any little piece of advice or information that i needed. Whether he was working or not he would offer his help with anything i had to ask. Victor had to watch me graduate on stage and help me get into the best school and encourage me to not let anything destroy what i planned to accomplish in the furture. My brother was brave, intelligent and such a wonderful and loving person, most importnalty he was my hero and inspiration to fight and do what was right. He had a beautful future ahead of himself with his Loving, beautiful and intelligent fiancee. Unfortunetly this was ended. The worst of this incident besides i had to stand by my brother the day before my 18th birthday knowing i will never speak to him again is I myself never told my brother how much i truly loved him and cared for him ..never thanked him for everything he had ever done for me. Physically Victor, my brother is not here anymore but i will show you him and everyone else that i will accomplish everything i want to, to make myself a better person but most importantly make My brother proud of who i will become. Because of Victor i will encouarge, inspire and help more people than i've have to be stronger and brave. Do not let anything put you down even if you have lost your hero and inspirational leader, Life will sadly go on with out him But his laughter, face, joy that cheered us all up, and the memories with you will always be within me, this will help adn encourage me continue on towards my future.
I Love You Victor.
The day i let you walk out that door smiling at me tellin me that he will be right back was the only moment i will always have in mind. i never knew 15 mints ended up to never seeing you again. Untill we meet again.

[Manny Gomez]

Vic was such a cool dude. I dont know why things like this happen to good people. The guy was an awesome brother and loving son, if you needed help he's the guy everyone went to. I'll never forget the time he told me to sleep over and party with him and his family... Still missing him...

[HigHlaND PaRk]

my big bro u are so truly missed i still feel numb, i know nothing can bring u back but dont worry, who ever took u away from us is going to pay i love u soooooo much i hope all these criminals r taken off the streets i would never wish this pain to anyone

[UNKNOWN]

Blah Blah Blah.. Thingz Happen For A Reason.. Ppl Dont Get Shot Up Close Just Because.. I Understand That The Family Is Suffering For What Happend 2 Their Love One.. I Myself Have Lost Many Ppl In The Northeast Streets.. But Like I Said, No One Gets Shot Up Close For Fun.. Just Cuz He Seemed Friendly And Was A Good Son Or Brother 2 The Family, Dosent Mean He Waz An Angel On The Blockz.. We All Keep Secretz From Family Sometimez Or We Play A Different Row At Home Than We Do On The Streets.. But Im Sure A Few Of You That Knew Him, Knew Whats Up With Him And Who He Hanged Around With.. So Stop Acting Like He Waz The Best Person In The World.. But Hey, Im Sure When I Got Shot And Killed One Day, Ppl Are Gonna Say I Waz A Good Man And Hide The Fact That I Use 2 Bang 2.. We All Make Choices That Will Haunt Us Later.. Karmas No Joke In Los Angeles.. Specialy In Northeast L.A..

[Unknown]

Of course things occur for a reason and what happened, happened. There is nothing that can be done now to change that fact. Let's just for the record state the facts as they are being stated at the trial which is the People vs Galindez and Martinez. As evidence shows and even Galindez's and Martinez's lawyers have tried to prove Victor Solis was not the target. The windows of the vehicle that Victor was in were tinted and the suspects confronted the driver, meanwhile Victor was in the back seat. Yes, the driver was Victor's "friend" and though he had Mr. Munoz, the driver, as a friend, he also had many other friends. The list can go on. He was born and raised in Queens, New York and moved to Los Angeles seven years ago and never once was involved in gang activity. There are no marks on his skin and no record to go with it. In no way or form is there any proof that shows that for one moment Victor Solis was gang affiliated in a manner in which will cause someone to shoot him. His friends range from categories of police officers to guys up to no good, but never once was Victor categorized in anything. Someone should ask Galindez or Martinez themselves. So for the record one should first check their resources and facts before stating something that can easily be revoked.
If one were to attend the trial and listen to the facts, they will hear that the driver, Munoz, was the one that was confronted and not Victor Solis.

[syscom3]

Unknown, would you not agree that firing at a car that you knew had people in it, is such an obviously dangerous act, that it rises to the level of premeditated murder? What did the two defendants think would happen? The bullets would magically miss any person?

And this also doesnt take into account the fact that bullets often fly for considerable distances and kill people that have nothing to do with the shooter or their intended victim.

In this case, it doesnt matter who the accused had an issue with. The fact is they shot at someone with intent to kill. And did just that.

[Silvia Montes]

i love u vick....i miss u alot...thank u god for making those two losers pay!!!!!

[Susana]

I Miss you brother...Alot.