North Hollywood: Sergio Ramirez, 19

Sergio Ramirez, 19, was shot twice in his lower back and died Tuesday, Aug. 11. Ramirez, described by coroner's officials as a white man, was shot late that night at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Vanowen Street in North Hollywood.

Friends took Ramirez to a hospital where he died, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.

Detectives determined that he had been fatally wounded during a shootout between rival gangs. Authorities have arrested Nestor Otero, a 24-year-old Latino, and Bryan Torres, 19, both of North Hollywood, in connection with the shooting.

Det. Rich Wheeler, of the North Hollywood Division, said Otero was arrested at the scene and that Torres was arrested at the hospital where Ramirez was taken. Los Angeles County Jail records indicate police arrested Otero about 12:15 a.m. on Aug. 12 and that Torres was arrested 15 minutes later.

Wheeler said Otero and Torres were from different gangs, and police were searching today for additional suspects, Wheeler said.

Bail for Otero and Torres was set at $1 million each.

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz and Anthony Pesce

Comments

[Mike]

He was a good kid, worked with me for a in the spring time till a couple of days before his death.

R.i.p. Sergio

[syscom3]

Was the deceased a member of one of the gangs involved? If so, he's responsible for his own fate. No sympathy from me.