Carson: Angel Popoca, 21

Angel Popoca, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot in the head in the 21300 block of South Archibald Avenue in Carson on Saturday, August 22 and died the following day, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Popoca was at a party when there was an argument outside. The argument led to gunfire, and Popoca was hit, Winter said.

The shooting happened at about 1 p.m. Saturday. Popoca was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Sunday morning, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Comments

[Torrance Mom]

Angel...I can't fault you for being a good guy and trying to break up a fight...but I wish you hadn't gotten involved.
Rest in Peace. My sincerest condolences go out to Angel's family and friends.

[oceanview]

He should know better 2 not get involved.

[BATONX]

I LOVE YOU ANGEL/KEMY THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPEND TO U

[whatoceanview?]

For all of you who read this and to the LA TIMES, who have facts that are not true! Angel was a good person! People leaving comments like "you should know better 2 not get involved" Are speaking as if they know what occured that night! IF you know what and who and why this took place then go to the COPS! otherwise keep your thoughts to your self!
I hope this comment reaches the writter/editor of this article and LA times realizes that approving such comments as the one left my "oceanview" should not be listed on your website. We will have attorneys contact you to release contact information on this person listed as "oceanview", As this comment is very alarming, as this is an open case and the suspects are at large.

[slwridnwmn]

Everyone who knew Angel is angry about what happened to him. He was a wonderful, funny young man with a huge heart. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is sad in these times that someone's life can taken for no reason. I don't think anyone means their comments in a negative way. But what has been reported by witnesses is that Angel was trying to help stop some type of argument. He was trying to be a good samaritan. The argument may have had nothing to do with what happened. Yes, witnesses need to go to the police. PLEASE! Give them all the information you can...the evil cowards who took Angel deserve to be punished for all the pain they have caused. RIP Angel!

[Elizabeth]

To: Whatoceanview,

I would hate for the LA Times to publish my dead relatives info here for it is open to interpretation and comments and just about anything that someone wishes to post and does not contain bad language and such. With that in mind, idle threats are not going to make this story or comments or anything stop. Do you honestly think that a lawyer will get a persons information released? Disturbing or not the comments are just that comments. Insensitive May be. Wrong May be. Stupid May be. False information from what was gathered at the very moment that something thing happened may be. The fact of the matter is this story and all the others in this blog are posted with what little info has been gathered. They are not meant to be a detailed moment by moment account of any given situation. Should there be no death in the world...may be. But the fact is bad things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. Non of use knows how long we have on this earth and non of us knows how long before those we love are taken away from us. The short announcment of the death of this young man does not say that he tried to break up a fight so where oceanview got that from is open for debate and questioning but we cannot make a person do the right thing and talk to the police much less write all he/she knows here on this blog. I was superised to read that he/she wrote what was posted as though he/she might have been a witness to this whole event. Too bad this person doesn't feel the need to do the right thing and tell the authorities about this murder.

[shelly wylie]

If you need to use a gun to shoot an unarmed man, then you are a coward and must have never had a real man teach you when and how to choose your battles. The men who did this to Angel, will answer to GOD. We all need to keep positive and help oneanother heal during this difficult time. Please everyone, stop the anger,vengance,violence and gossip. Pray for and support the family if you must do SOMETHING! Only GOD has the right to take a life. I love you babe...RIP Angel.

[Guadalupe]

ITS BEEN 9 YEARS OR SO AGO SINCE I LAST SAW YOU... ANGEL. THAT WAS BACK IN 4TH OR 5TH GRADE IN HALLDAL ELEMENTARY SHOOL. ITS A VERY SMALL WORLD. I REMEMBER LIKE IF IT WAS YESTERDAY WHEN I HAD INVITED YOU TO MY BDAY WITH YOUR COUSIN RENE. WE WERE ALL JUMPING IN THE JUMPER HAVING A GOOD TIME. *SIGH* I WISH YOU DIDNT HAVE TO GO SO SOON. IT WASNT YOUR TIME. YOU WERE TO YOUNG AND YOU DIDNT DESERVE TO HAVE YOUR LIFE TAKEN AWAY BY SOMEONE, OTHER THAN GOD HIMSELF. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY. THEY DONT DESERVE THIS PAIN. I HOPE THEY CATCH THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DEATH. YOU WILL BE MISSED...R.I.P

God looked around his garden and saw an empty space. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your smiling face. God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. For an unknown reason he took you up to heaven, and shielded you with grace. It broke our hearts to see you go, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Though we never know Where life will take us, I know it's just a ride On the wheel. and we never know When death will shake us and we wonder how It will feel. I know I'll never see you again. but the times together spent and the love you gave us through all those years will take away these tears. It's OK now, your safe in a better place away from all this violence and hate. [R.I.P. ANGEL]

[Missy]

To whatoceaview?,

You can't get upset. People are going to say what they want to say about others and you or anyone else has no control over it. Have you taken the time to think that maybe "oceanview" was there or may have known the victim or killer? Spend your time trying to help find out who killed this person instead of making threats towards them. I don't know Angle, but may he rest in peace.

[LaMont Henry]

I am a security officer at Shery High School in the Torrance Unified School District. Ive been working with teens for almost 30 years through Scouts, Sports, YMCA, and various other youth programs. Angel was a clean cut well mannered young man. Very respectful, kind, and sort of quiet. He attended Shery for about a year and a half before going back to Narbonne. He never got into any trouble or caused any problems. He was well liked by the Shery High Staff. If I was able to fault him of anything it would be him being lazy, but he was just a laid back young man. It is easy to read an article and try to judge someone, if you don't know him you shouldnt judge. This was a true case of being "Wrong Place-Wrong Time", and it is unfortunate that he came to a tragic end. God Bless his family, my condolences to all and ANGEL R.I.P.!

[A loving mother]

To whom ever is from oceanview and wrote that message, you are very wrong for stating " he should know better"" put your self in his shoe if you would seen someone who you know and she's about to get hit by someone who's stronger then her. wouldn't you get involve or you would just be a wimp and just watch. at least this nice young man did something to stop it. It wasn't his time but at least he tried to do something to stop and for the party to continue. it was wrong and immatured the way the other people took care of it. using guns. you are very wrong for saying he shouldn't get involve.. I will curse you for that and I will read my cards to know who you are.. and will give you karma..

[JPOPOCA]

I LOVE YOU and will never forget you! I wish you were here! I miss you sooo much! I love you Cousin!