Police seek public's help in finding boy's killers [UPDATED]
Police said today that the men who shot and killed a 4-year-old boy near Angelino Heights may have been in a red Scion. They urged the public to help them find the men who shot Roberto Lopez Jr., who was walking with his sister to a nearby community center Tuesday about 4:25 p.m. when he was killed.
Detectives believe two men inside the red compact car were shooting at a group of men standing on a sidewalk in the 1200 block of Court Street when they hit the boy, said Officer Julianne Sohn, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. A stray bullet struck the child in the chest, she said, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police said Tuesday that the men on the street shot at the red car but that it was unclear who shot first. They have not identified any of the men involved. Anyone with information can contact the LAPD anonymously through the website www.lapdonline.org.
Updated, 8:58 a.m.: Police confirmed that they believe the gunshots were fired from the street at the red car. That contradicts information released earlier this morning by the LAPD's media relations office that gunshots originated from the car.
Updated, 11:09 a.m.: LAPD homicide detectives said they believe the confrontation that led to the shooting of the boy was gang-related. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (213) 484-3650 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7. People can also text message tips to “CRIMES” (274637). Texters should begin their message with the letters "LAPD."
--Nathan Olivarez-Giles
Photo: A police officer with a dog looks for signs of the gunman on Bixel Street near the site of the shooting on Court Street. Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times
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It's not only one area of Los Angeles where the innocent get shoot!!!!!!!!!!
What some people do not understand is that the gang problem is everywhere totally out of control. Mayor Villa's and his civic cronies don't ever do anything about it! Gang killings/shootings of the innocent are coming to your neighborhood soon, if they are not there already!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | January 14, 2009 at 01:16 PM
This happened under Mayor Villa's watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When will the next 4-year old or innocent person be gunned down by gang violence? It's just a matter of time!
Citizens of LA please don't be sad for this 4 year-old, be outraged that we have civic leaders who stand by and do nothing about these crimes!!!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | January 14, 2009 at 01:08 PM