The Homicide Report

The Times chronicles L.A. County
homicide victims

Compton: Kenneth Barnes, 38

December 11, 2009 |  2:22 pm

The location where Kenneth Barnes was shot. Credit: Google Maps Kenneth Barnes, a 38-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Dec. 3, in the 1300 block of South Long Beach Boulevard in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said deputies patrolling the area heard gunshots and went to investigate. Barnes had been driving a vehicle at the time of his shooting and when deputies arrived at the scene he had crashed into parked cars, Winter said.

The shooting happened about 8:25 p.m. and Barnes was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. 

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Kenneth Barnes was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Paramount: Steven Guzman, 21

December 11, 2009 |  2:21 pm

The location where Steven Guzman was shot. Credit: Google Maps Steven Guzman, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the 16600 block of Eureka Avenue in Paramount, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials. He died the next day, about three hours later.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Guzman was shot at a residence about 10 p.m. and taken to a hospital, where he died shortly after 1 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Steven Guzman was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Pacoima: Ivan Chaidez, 19

December 11, 2009 |  2:19 pm

The location where Ivan Chaidez was shot. Click for the Pacoima Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Ivan Chaidez, a 19-year-old Latino, was shot Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Pinney Street and De Foe Avenue in Pacioma, authorities said.

Chaidez was shot in the early evening and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:36 a.m. the next day, according to coroner's records.

Detectives said several juveniles were involved in Chaidez's killing, and that at least one arrest had been made. Because the case involves minors, authorities did not identify the suspects.

Officials with the Los Angeles County district attorney's office could not find a record of charges being filed in the case.

Police said the killing is possibly gang-related. All of the suspects are involved in a gang, and police said Chaidez was a suspected gang member.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Ivan Chaidez was shot. Click for the Pacoima Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Sylmar: Parrish Reed, 17

December 7, 2009 |  4:39 pm

The location where Parrish Reed was stabbed. Click for the Sylmar Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Parrish Reed, a 17-year-old black youth, was stabbed to death Saturday, Dec. 5, in the 12100 block of San Fernando Road in Sylmar, authorities said.

His older sister allegedly stabbed him in the chest while inside an apartment, authorities said.

After responding to an initial report of a shooting, officers arrived at the scene about 8:40 to discover the boy had been stabbed, according to a Los Angeles Police Department.

Amber Reed, 20, was arrested and charged with killing her her brother, police said. She is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

According to detectives, the siblings were arguing over money when Reed grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her brother in the chest. Reed was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, said Lt. Cheryl MacWillie of the L.A. County coroner’s office.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact Mission Division homicide detectives at (818) 838-9810.

-- Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Parrish Reed was stabbed. Click for the Sylmar Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Downtown: Sonya Tauanuu, 26 [Updated]

December 7, 2009 |  4:22 pm

The location where Sonya Tauanuu was struck. Click for the Downtown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Sonya Tauanuu, a 26-year-old Samoan woman, died after she was hit by a limousine Thursday, Dec. 3, and dragged nearly a mile from the  750 block of Ceres Avenue in Downtown, authorities said.

[Update: A previous version of this post listed Tauanuu's race as Filipina.]

The driver of the limousine intentionally ran over Tauanuu, who was pronounced dead about 1 a.m. at the scene, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The incident, which police are investigating as a homicide, began shortly before 1 a.m. when two women began arguing in the 700 block of Ceres Avenue, the LAPD said.

The driver, Nancy Lekon, 43, got into the limousine and allegedly struck Tauanuu, then began driving northeast through skid row, police said.

The limousine, with the body wedged underneath, stopped near 5th and Los Angeles streets. Police said they arrested Lekon on suspicion of homicide.

It was unclear what sparked the argument, police said.

— Robert J. Lopez

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Map: The location where Sonya Tauanuu was struck. Click for the Downtown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Pico-Union: Humberto Rodriguez-Varon, 51

December 7, 2009 |  4:03 pm

Humberto Rodriguez-Varon, a 51-year-old Latino, was beaten and died Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the 1300 block of South Orchard Avenue in Pico-Union, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Rodriguez-Varon was found on the sidewalk by someone walking in the area at 6:44 a.m. He had been hit in the face with a board and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Additional details were not immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Humberto Rodriguez-Varon was found dead. Click for the Pico-Union Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Homicides: Dec. 1 - Dec. 7 [Updated]

December 7, 2009 |  3:07 pm

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 688. This number does not include a few cases in which specifying the cause of death has been deferred.

Steven Guzman, a 21-year-old Latino, on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Guzman was shot in the 16600 block of Eureka Avenue in Paramount.

Alfonso Gonzalez, a 36-year-old Latino, on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Gonzalez was beaten then burned in a fire in the 1700 block of Autumnmist Drive in Palmdale.

Ivan Chaidez, a 19-year-old Latino, on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Chaidez was shot at Pinney Street and De Foe Avenue in Pacioma.

Kenneth Barnes, a 38-year-old black man, on Thursday, Dec. 3. Barnes was shot in the 1300 block of South Long Beach Boulevard in Compton.

Blanca Valdez, a 38-year-old Latina, on Thursday, Dec. 3. Valdez's neck was slashed in the 1000 block of East 51st Street in South Park.

[Update: A previous version of this post listed Valdez's race as Filipina.]

Sonya Tauanuu, a 26-year-old Samoan woman, on Thursday, Dec. 3. Tauanuu was struck by a car and dragged nearly a mile in the 750 block of Ceres Avenue in downtown L.A.

[Update: A previous version of this post listed Tauanuu's race as Filipina.]

Francisco Garcia, a 42-year-old Latino, on Friday, Dec. 4. Garcia was shot in the 10000 block of Maple Street in Bellflower.

Parrish Reed, a 17-year-old black youth, on Saturday, Dec. 5. Reed was stabbed in the 12100 San Fernando Road in Sylmar.

Jessie Valdivia, a 23-year-old Latino, on Saturday, Dec. 5. Valdivia was shot in the 1000 block of West 3rd Street in Pomona.

Julio Eduardo Perez, a 15-year-old Latino, on Monday, Dec. 7. Perez was shot in the 2100 block of East Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights.

-- Anthony Pesce


Dispatch: 'My son’s death was senseless and selfish'

December 7, 2009 |  5:00 am
Click to visit The Times' interactive project on Homeboy Industries' gang intervention efforts in South Alabama
Trayvon Jeffers left prison in the spring of 2007 determined to turn his life around. He'd been paroled after serving 4 1/2 years of a seven-year sentence.

He was just 21 when he pleaded no contest to two counts of assault with a firearm, one on a police officer. 

The prison stint capped off what, by his own admission, had already been a long history of gang banging.

Raised in Compton, Jeffers was involved in gangs by the time he was 12. As a juvenile, he had multiple encounters with the law. As an adult, he spent time in jail on narcotics and vehicular violations.

But prison was life-altering.

“Trayvon told me, ‘It was no joke, bro.’ In prison he had to play the race game. His decisions were not his decisions and he realized you couldn’t trust even your best friend," said Raul Diaz, who befriended him after Jeffers went to work at Homeboy Industries following his release. "It was clear he didn’t want to go back.”

At Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit organization that assists at-risk youth and former gang members, Jeffers found full-time employment. At first, Jeffers managed the front desk, greeting visitors and helping support numerous activities.

After a little more than a year, Jeffers was promoted to data collector, creating reports for financial contributors and monitoring client jobs, parole housing and new arrests.

Jeffers, who never earned a high school diploma or GED, was hesitant in the new role.

“Tray didn’t know if he could do it,” Diaz said, “but he was on it. I work with people who have bachelor's, master's, you name it, and Tray was one of the best. He relieved me from a lot of my stress. I never second-guessed him.”

Continue reading »

San Pedro: Geissler Alfaro, 17

December 4, 2009 | 10:37 pm

Alfaro Geissler Alfaro, a 17-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22,  at 18th Street and Cabrillo Avenue in San Pedro, authorities said.

Alfaro was shot in the head about 11:30 a.m. Police responded to the shooting and set up a perimeter around the neighborhood to search for two males, authorities said.

Police later identified the two as brothers Albert Ortega, 21, and Joaquin Ortega, 19. They were arrested on Nov. 22, and Albert Ortega was charged with murder, according to the felony complaint filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. Joaquin Ortega was released on Nov. 24. Prosecutors have declined to file charges against the younger brother pending additional investigation.

Alfaro was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:07 p.m.

— Corina Knoll and Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Geissler Alfaro was shot. Click for the San Pedro Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


North Hills: Larry Duran Jr., 29

December 4, 2009 |  9:47 pm

The location where Larry Duran was shot. Click for the North Hills Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Larry Duran Jr., a 29-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Saturday, Nov. 28, in the 9200 block of Woodley Avenue in North Hills, authorities said.

Police allege Duran was confronted at his place of work about 1 p.m. by Julio Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Latino. Rodriguez reportedly argued with Duran while he was working in the 16100 block of Nordhoff Street in North Hills, then ordered  Duran to get into his car.

Rodriguez drove Duran to an alley, then shot him as he tried to escape, police said. Witnesses told detectives that the pair had been in a dispute because Duran was having an affair with Rodriguez's girlfriend.NR09567cj

Rodriguez allegedly shot Duran several times with a handgun, then drove away. Duran was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:36 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Rodriguez is still at large, and police are asking anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to call Dets. Floyd Walton or Ruben Arellano at (818) 832-0554. He was seen driving a gray 2010 Ford Focus.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Larry Duran was shot. Click for the North Hills Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Photo: Julio Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Latino, is accused of killing Larry Duran Jr., a 29-year-old Latino. Credit: LAPD


Cerritos: Remington Dunham, 19

December 4, 2009 |  9:44 pm

Map: The location where Remington Dunham was shot. Credit: Google Maps Remington Dunham, a 19-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, Nov. 20, in the 11000 block of Gonsalves Place in Cerritos, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Dunham was attending a party when a fight broke out in the frontyard, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

Dunham was shot about 10:55 p.m. and taken to a hospital,  where he was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Remington Dunham was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Chase Hill, 49

December 4, 2009 |  9:43 pm

The location where Chase Hill was shot. Credit: Google Maps Chase Hill, a 49-year-old black man, was shot and killed  Saturday, Nov. 21, in the 1100 block of 58th Drive in an area of unincorporated Los Angeles County called Florence-Graham, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Hill was sitting in the driveway of a residence when an unidentified suspect walked up and shot him once in the head, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

Hill was shot about 7:10 a.m. and was taken to a hospital where he died at 5:24 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Chase Hill was shot. Credit: Google Maps


South Pasadena: Noe Martinez-Quinone, 35

December 4, 2009 |  9:42 pm

The location where Noe Martinez-Quinone was shot. Credit: Google Maps Noe Martinez-Quinone, a 35-year-old Latino, was shot several times and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1000 block of Arroyo Drive in South Pasadena, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Martinez-Quinone was found shot in the head in a parked vehicle, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:30 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Noe Martinez-Quinone was shot. Credit: Google Maps


West Covina: Billy Howell, 33

December 4, 2009 |  9:34 pm

The location where Noe Martinez-Quinone was shot. Credit: Google Maps Billy Howell, a 33-year-old white man, was shot and killed  Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 100 block of South Cherrywood Street in West Covina, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Howell was at a party when he was shot in the head, neck and chest with a handgun, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at 2:50 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Billy Howell was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Pomona: Richard Gonzales, 25

December 4, 2009 |  9:30 pm

The location where Richard Gonzales was shot. Credit: Google Maps Richard Gonzales, a 25-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 23, in the 2400 block of Angela Street in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said police received a call about 7:35 p.m. that gunshots had been fired and they found Gonzales in an alley. He had been shot several times in the head and upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:42 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Richard Gonzales was shot. Credit: Google Maps


East Los Angeles: Joseph Jones, 35

December 4, 2009 |  9:27 pm

The location where Joseph Jones was shot. Credit: Google Maps Joseph Jones, a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the 4200 block of Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Jones was the victim of a walk-up shooting. He was approached by someone who shot him in the head and back about 4:27 p.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene 10 minutes later, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Joseph Jones was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Dwain Charles, 47

December 4, 2009 |  9:26 pm

The location where Joseph Jones was shot. Credit: Google Maps Dwain Charles, a 47-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the 10400 block of South Normandie Avenue in unincorporated Los Angeles County, according to coroner's officials.

Charles was shot about 6:25 p.m. when he was confronted by someone on the sidewalk, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead about 6:55 p.m.

Winter said the suspect ran out of view of witnesses, then a car was heard leaving the area.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Dwain Charles was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Harbor Gateway: Alexander Russo, 19

December 4, 2009 |  9:25 pm

The location where Alexander Russo was shot. Click for the Harbor-Gateway Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Alexander Russo, a 19-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Monday, Nov. 30, in the 16000 block of Merit Avenue in Harbor Gateway, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Russo was shot at an unknown time, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital where he died at 1:07 a.m.

Additional details were not immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

Map: The location where Alexander Russo was shot. Click for the Harbor-Gateway Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Green Meadows: Ricardo Chavez, 25

December 2, 2009 |  5:34 pm

The location where Ricardo Chavez was shot. Click for the Green Meadows Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Ricardo Chavez, a 25-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 900 block of East 98th Street in Green Meadows, authorities said.

Chavez was attending his 25th birthday party when he got into an argument with a man who allegedly shot and killed him, Los Angeles police said. Chavez was shot about 2:30 a.m. and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:13 a.m., according to coroner's records.

Parrish Najarro, a 26-year-old black man who authorities said is a friend of Chavez’s girlfriend’s ex-husband, has been arrested and charged with Chavez's murder, according to the felony complaint filed by the district attorney's office.

-- Anthony Pesce and Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Ricardo Chavez was shot. Click for the Green Meadows Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Covina: Richard Basulto, 55

December 2, 2009 |  4:59 pm

The location where Richard Basulto was attacked. Credit: Google Maps Richard Basulto, a 55-year-old Latino, was severely beaten Saturday, Nov. 29, in the 200 block of West Bygrove Street in Covina, authorities said. He died at the hospital the next morning, about 11 hours after the incident.

Covina Police Lt. Tim Doonan said Basulto had gotten into an argument with his brother-in-law about money. Martin Louis Silva, a 52-year-old black man, allegedly pushed Basulto, pinned him against some furniture, then punched him repeatedly in the face, Doonan said.

Basulto had one leg amputated at the knee because of complications from diabetes and was in a wheelchair, Doonan said. When paramedics arrived at the scene Basulto was conscious and able to speak, but almost as soon as he got to the hospital his condition worsened, Doonan said.

Doonan said he had several fractures in his face, as well as lacerations, contusions, and considerable swelling. The attack happened about 6:17 p.m. Nov. 29 and he was pronounced dead at 5:05 a.m. the next morning. The coroner listed his cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

Silva was initially arrested on felony battery, Doonan said, but when Basulto died the charge was changed to murder.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Richard Basulto was attacked. Credit: Google Maps


Watts: Lavell Hudson, 24

December 2, 2009 |  8:25 am

Hudson Lavell Hudson, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1200 block of East 115th Street in Watts, authorities said.

Police received a report that shots had been fired about 4 a.m. and found Hudson on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 a.m., according to coroner's records.

-- Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Lavell Hudson was shot. Click for the Watts Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Mid-Wilshire: Juan Segura, 18

December 2, 2009 |  8:24 am

The location where Juan Segura was shot. Click for the Mid-Wilshire Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Juan Segura, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1000 block of La Brea Avenue in Mid-Wilshire, authorities said.

Segura was shot and killed while sitting in a Toyota Corolla near the corner of La Brea Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, police said.

Authorities, who said they believed the killed was gang-related, said someone approached Segura and shot him in the chest. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

— Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Juan Segura was shot. Click for the Mid-Wilshire Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Downtown: Shelia Zaldana, 46

December 2, 2009 |  8:21 am

The location where Shelia Zaldana was shot. Click for the Downtown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood. Shelia Zaldana, a 46-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 23, in the 500 block of San Julian Street in Downtown, authorities said. 

Los Angeles police detectives said the killing may have been the result of a dispute over narcotics and that the victim's 23-year-old son was the original target. (Police gave the victim's first name as Sheila but she was identified as Shelia by the coroner.)

Michelle Cato, 26, was arrested immediately after the shooting on San Julian Street near the LAPD Central Area police station.

LAPD Det. Paul Vernon said Cato and Zaldana lived in South Angeles and while on skid row got into a dispute that investigators believed involved drugs.

"Based on the suspect's criminal background, she was on parole for drug-related convictions, and not living on skid row, we suspect that narcotics was at the root of this dispute," Vernon said.

Moments before the shooting was reported at 3:40 p.m., Cato pointed a gun at Zaldana, "but the gun did not go off," Vernon said.

"As the suspect was walking away, she turned back and fired at the mother and the gun went off, the bullet striking her in the head," Vernon said.

Cato fled south on San Julian Street and then ran west on 6th Street, discarding the small-caliber handgun believed to be the murder weapon on the street, Vernon said.

As she neared the LAPD's Central Division station, with witnesses in pursuit, she ran into a police officer, who immediately detained her.

Vernon said the block where the shooting took place "has more cops and more cameras per square foot than any other block in the city."

--Andrew Blankstein

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Map: The location where Shelia Zaldana was shot. Click for the Downtown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Norwalk: Daniel Motts, 48

November 30, 2009 |  5:29 pm

The location where Daniel Motts was shot. Credit: Google MapsDaniel Motts, a 48-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 16, in the 11200 block of Ferina Street in Norwalk, authorities said.

Motts was killed shortly before 6 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. 

No additional details were available.

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

--Robert J. Lopez

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Daniel Motts was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Long Beach: Comontray Lenoir, 24

November 30, 2009 |  5:27 pm

The location where Comontray Lenoir was shot. Credit: Google MapsComontray Lenoir, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the 2700 block of East 57th Street in Long Beach, authorities said.

Lenoir was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the courtyard of an apartment complex after police received reports of a shooting at 5:30 p.m., police said. Police are investigating the slaying as a gang-related crime, the Long Beach Police Department said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dets. William Matsubara and Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Comontray Lenoir was shot. Credit: Google Maps


North Hollywood: Gombert Yepremyan, 19

November 30, 2009 |  5:24 pm

YepremynGombert Yepremyan, a 19-year-old man identified by coroner's officials as Armenian, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the 6400 block of North Laurel Canyon Boulevard near Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood, authorities said.

Yepremyan was shot in the neck by an acquaintance just before 9 p.m. in the parking lot of a Sears store, authorities said.

Yepremyan was taken to a hospital where he later died, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police determined that earlier that evening Yepremyan had been involved in a dispute with another man that took place via telephone, Eisenman said.

“Both parties agreed to meet to settle whatever their differences were,” Eisenman said.

They met in the parking lot, where the altercation occurred. The suspect pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and shot the victim, Eisenman said.

The suspect fled in a black four-door BMW 3-Series sedan with no plates, Eisenman said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (877) 527-3247.

-- My-Thuan Tran

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Map: The location where Gombert Yepremyan was shot. Click for the North Hollywood Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.


Homicides: Nov. 16 - Nov. 30

November 30, 2009 |  5:18 pm

The year-to-date number of homicides in Los Angeles County is about 678. This number does not include a few cases in which specifying the cause of death has been deferred.

Daniel Motts, 48-year-old Latino, on Nov. 16.  Motts was shot in the 11200 block of Ferina Street in Norwalk.

Comontray Lenoir, a 24-year-old black man, on Nov. 17. Lenoir was shot in the 2700 block of East 57th Street in Long Beach.

Gombert Yepremyan, a 19-year-old man identified by the coroner as Armenian, on Nov. 18. Yepremyan was shot at Victory Boulevard and Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood.

Erick Roche Jr., a 17-year-old Latino, on Nov. 19.  Roche was shot in the 6400 block of Rosemead Boulevard in Pico Rivera.

Frank Castro Jr., a 19-year-old Latino, on Nov. 19. Castro was shot at Santa Fe Avenue and Arlington Street in Long Beach.

Remington Dunham, a 19-year-old black man, on Nov. 20. Dunham was shot in the 11000 block of Gonsalves Place in Cerritos.

Chase Hill, a 49-year-old black man, on Nov. 21. Hill was shot in the 1100 block of 58th Drive in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Noe Martinez-Quinone, a 35-year-old Latino, on Nov. 22.  Martinez-Quinone was shot at an unknown location.

Lavell Hudson, a 24-year-old black man, on Nov. 22. Hudson was shot in the 1200 block of East 115th Street in Watts.

Billy Howell, a 33-year-old white man, on Nov. 22. Howell was shot in the 100 block of South Cherrywood Street in West Covina.

Diamond Hillman, an infant girl, on Nov. 22.  No other details were provided by the coroner's office.

Ricardo Chavez, a 25-year-old Latino, on Nov. 22. Chavez was shot in the 900 block of East 98th Street in Green Meadows.

Juan Segura, a 18-year-old Latino, on Nov. 22. Segura died in the 1000 block of South La Brea Avenue in the Mid-Wilshire district. No other details were provided by the coroner's office.

Geissler Alfaro, a 17-year-old Latino, on Nov. 22.  Alfaro was shot at 18th Street and Cabrillo Avenue in San Pedro.

Richard Gonzales, a 25-year-old Latino, on Nov. 23.  Gonzales was shot in the 2400 block of Angela Street in Pomona.

Shelia Zaldana, a 46-year-old black woman, on Nov. 23. Zaldana was shot in the 500 block of San Julian Street in downtown.

Humberto Rodriguez-Varon, a 51-year-old Latino, on Nov. 25. Rodriguez-Varon died of blunt-force trauma in the 1300 block of South Orchard Avenue in Pico-Union.

Joseph Jones, a 35-year-old Latino, on Nov. 25. Jones was shot in the 4200 block of Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles.

Dwain Charles, a 47-year-old black man, on Nov. 25. Charles was shot in the 10400 block of South Normandie Avenue in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Albert Love, a 23-year-old black man, on Nov. 26. Love was shot in the 11000 block of South Crenshaw Boulevard in Inglewood.

Larry Duran Jr., 29-year-old Latino, on Nov. 28. Duran was shot in the 9200 block of Woodley Avenue in North Hills.

Alexander Russo, a 19-year-old Latino, on Nov. 30.  No other details were provided by the coroner's office.

Richard Basulto, a 55-year-old Latino, on Nov. 30.  No other details were provided by the coroner's office.


--Maloy Moore


Pico Rivera: Erick Roche, 17

November 30, 2009 |  5:16 pm

The Location where Erick Roche Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps Erick Roche Jr., a 17-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Thursday, Nov. 19, in the 6400 block of Rosemead Boulevard in Pico Rivera, authorities said.

Roche was discovered after a person driving by saw a body in the street and called police, said DeputyAura Sierra of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Roche was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:56 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Long Beach police at (562) 570-7244 or the Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500.

-- Seema Mehta

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Erick Roche Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Long Beach: Frank Castro Jr., 19

November 30, 2009 |  5:11 pm

The location where Frank Castro Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps Frank Castro Jr., a 19-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Thursday, Nov. 19, in the 3600 block of Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, according to police spokeswoman Jackie Bezart.

According to authorities, Castro and two other men were approached by a gunman on foot outside a liquor store about 11:30 p.m. All three men were hit -- Castro was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene. The other two men, 18 and 40 years old, were treated at a hospital and released.

Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

-- Seema Mehta

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Frank Castro Jr. was shot. Credit: Google Maps


Santa Fe Springs: Leonard Soliz Jr., 35

November 16, 2009 |  5:10 pm

The location where Leonard Soliz and Celeste Jimenez were found shot. Credit: Google Maps Leonard Soliz Jr., a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 15, in the 11500 block of Los Nietos Road in Santa Fe Springs, authorities said.

Soliz and Celeste Jimenez, a 31-year-old Latina, were both shot in the head and pronounced dead in a parking lot about 2:45 a.m., according to coroner's records. 

Two Whittier police officers conducting a traffic stop on Norwalk Boulevard heard gunshots about 2 a.m. and began searching the area, Lt. Carlos Solorza said. They found the victims but did not see a suspect.

The relationship of the man and the woman was not known, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

-- Corina Knoll and Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Leonard Soliz and Celeste Jimenez were found shot. Credit: Google Maps




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About the Reporters
The Homicide Report is compiled using information from the Los Angeles County coroner's office, local law enforcement agencies and the Los Angeles Times. It is written by Times staff writers.


Recent News
Please visit the Homicide Report at its new location |  January 25, 2010, 10:32 pm »
Database and interactive map coming soon |  January 12, 2010, 4:19 pm »
L.A. County homicides: Jan. 4-11 |  January 11, 2010, 1:18 pm »
Koreatown: Bennett Bradley, 60 [Updated] |  January 5, 2010, 11:07 pm »
Palmdale: Eugene Harrington Jr., 23 |  January 5, 2010, 11:04 pm »

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