82-year-old man charged with killing handyman

An 82-year-old Hollywood man was charged with murder today in the fatal shooting this week of an apartment building handyman who was fixing his sink. Nattie Kennebrew Jr. pleaded not guilty Friday. He allegedly shot handyman Gerald Ramos on Wednesday in a second-floor apartment in the 7500 block of Fountain Avenue in Hollywood.

Authorities said Ramos was working on a sink in the defendant’s apartment when he was shot to death. He was hit multiple times. Ramos had done work in the apartment two weeks before, and authorities said he had an appointment to do the sink repair.

Kennebrew also attempted to assault several other people in the building when they came to the scene of the shooting, officials said. He faces a life-with-parole prison term if convicted.

--Richard Winton

Comments

[robert & laura donick]

The man who was slain was named Gerardo Villegas. He and his wife just had a baby. He was a hard working man senslessly killed. Why?

[tsarina]

The victim was the maintenance man in a friend's building. She said that he was the friendliest person. It's so tragic.

[Dav Levy]

The killer kept to himself, never talked to anyone. But that alone would not
have alerted tenants to his mental illness. Rumors are that he served in Viietnam and just cracked that day. More than likely his psychosis went back decades. Says something about our mental health system. How can anyone protect from this tragedy or even be aware that something is terribly wrong? Should handymen wear bullet proof vests? Doesn't seem practical.
Should we lock up people for observation who keep to themselves? Knowing that he went after other people in the building should be a wake-up call. Stay away from gun shots and call the police instead.

[From one of the victims nephew]

Gerardo Ramos Villegas was my uncle. He had the gift to encourage others to set goals and accomplish them. He motivated us and always praised us for our hard work. He got alone with everyone who crossed his path. Personally, he always cheered me on to continue my education and career goals. He had the best personality, he was always so cheerful and gracious, very helpful and always had the greatest heart. He was always about family. The family is upset and distraught over his unexpected and tragic death. It has been very difficult to accept his death. He is in a better place. Our family has lost someone very valuable in our lives; he was a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a nephew, a godfather and a friend and now he is an Angel; looking over us. He will always live on in our hearts and mind.
I thank everyone who has showed their unconditional support. To all the tenants who have stopped by my aunts to give their condolences. God Bless Everyone.

[Stephen DesBrisay]

Gerardo Villegas was the maintenance man for the building I manage as well. He was an honest kind hard working man with a new baby. My wife and I pray for his wife Rosana and her baby boy as well as the man who shot him because no one in their right mind would have shot Gerardo.

[Ken Dubner]

Gerardo was the maintenance man in my building.
I am a very private person and don't like people in my home. Gerardo had free reign to come in anytime whether we were home or not because he was the kind of person who you trust. He was a quiet and assuming man who just gave off a feeling of kindness.
We would talk about what a blessing it was being fathers, how proud he was of his daughters, how thrilled he was to be surprised with a son. His eyes would beam when he spoke of his family.
I never saw him not smile. He was just that kind of man.
My families thoughts and prayers go out to his family, please know how much he loved you. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

[alisa]

I lived right across from the man who murdered Gerardo. I can't say that the wasn't a very nice and gentle seeming man. The murder was right outside my door.

I also had Gerardo fix some things in my apartment and would see him around the building and he just did give off the vibe of kindness and decency mentioned above. He seemed incapabe of upsetting anyone.
It is a great tragedy and I only wish I could have saved Gerardo but the bullets kept coming and two found there way into my house while I was home. If his family is reading this I want to offer my deepest condolences. I am so sorry for this senseless tragedy that has befallen you.

[Tina Jenkins]

I am truly sorry to hear of this tragedy. My love, prayers, and support goes out to the Ramos Villegas family. It was only a few days ago before this senseless tragedy happened that I was listening to his brother talk so fondly about him and how happy Gerardo and his wife were about their new baby son and grandchild. I know he will be truely missed. May God Bless his family and give them the courage to move forward.

[Armando Montañez]

Gerardo el amigo incondicional, un ser humano extraordinario es el sentir de todos sus amigos que nos encontramos en Mexico ( San Luis Potosi ) gran consternacion he indignacion de la forma tan cobarde en la cual le cortaron su vida.Solo nos queda orar y recordalo como una persona alegre y responsable para con sus amigos y familia...nunca te olvidaremos que Dios te bendiga....Armando Montañez

[Danny]

Gerardo performed maintenance work in my unit (on Colfax) on a number of occasions, and without hesitation I can say he was the most competent, friendly, and trustworthy apartment handyman I have ever encountered. He was also a proud new father, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

[Michelle]

Gerardo was the maintenance man in my building. He was very kind, trustworthy and conscientious about his work. I trusted him being in my home when I was not around and every time I saw him he would greet me with a smile and warm hello. It is so sad that he was the victim of this completely senseless crime. He was too young to die and too kind to be taken from this world.

I wish his family peace and heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

[Michelle Villegas Larsen]

Gerardo Villegas was my dear uncle (Baby of the Family) Last year 2008; he finally achieved his major goal which was becoming a father. The whole Villegas family was blessed with having him in our lives. We will cherish those wonderful, happy, special memories that were created and keep them close to our hearts.

Although, we should be upset at the man who cut his life short…The Villegas family is forgiving because we all know that his day will come sooner than later when he has to stand before God and explain what he has done! Plus, he also has family and I am certain that they are puzzled as well at the outcome. And the 82 year-old man as well as his family is in our thoughts and prayers.

PLEASE THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU ACT!!!!!!!
Love,
M. Larsen
Texas

[Armando Montañez]

Misa por el eterno descanso de Gerardo Villegas Ramos... Capilla de Valle de los Cedros ( Mexico, S.L.P ) Domingo 8 de Febrero 2009 a las 12:00 p.m. familiares y amigos.... GRACIAS. Armando Montañez

[Armando M ontañez]

Celebracion de Misa en Valle de los Cedros, Domingo 8 de Febrero 12:00 p.m.
( Mexico, S.L.P ) por el eterno descanso de Gerardo Villegas Ramos. Que Dios lo tenga en su Santa Gloria..Amen.

[Josephine Austin- Ramos]

I am blessed to be apart of this God loving family. Gerardo Ramos Villegas was my brother-in-law. He was a soft spoken and kind person who always had a calm and peace presence that just reached out and touched you. He loved and enjoyed family gathering, camping and fishing. God needed another Angel by his side to watch over his children left here on this earth. Gerardo has received his wings and his soul has been set free. I love you and will miss you very much.

Josephine Austin - Ramos

Keep the faith and stay grounded in God and he will lead your path.

[LaRita S.]

Gerado was my maintenance man as well. He was the personification of a gentle man. Because my office is at home, I was here most of the time that he did his
repairs. There is no leak in my shower because of him, the caulking in the bathroom is freshly resealed because of him and because of him the screen in our second floor window is safe and secure keeping my curious son safe from harm when he looks out the window. But beyond the repairs it was his smile and kind spirit that I'll miss the most. I wish that property owners would take cues from the kindness of Mr. Villegas. For him it was more than just a job, it was as if he really cared. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[al]

I too knew Mr. Villegas as my building's handyman and He really was a gentle and trustworthy presence and he will be missed
. It seems the most senseless of crimes as the alleged killer also seemed very gentle. I suspect that it was dementia or mental illness and either way it is all a terrible tragedy. I just want all the details to come out and I wish the family of the sweet and always polite and hardworing mr villegas my deepest sympathiies.