Day laborer shot by LAPD officer in Westlake went by several names, officials say

In a case that has already sparked much confusion and outrage in the heavily immigrant neighborhood of Westlake, Los Angeles County coroner's officials announced recently that the Guatemalan day laborer who was fatally shot by an LAPD officer went by several different names.

Since the Sept. 5 shooting, relatives and acquaintances have identified the dead man as 37-year-old Manuel Jamines. However, coroner's officials identified him as Manuel Ramirez based on a fingerprint match with U.S. Department of Justice records. They also found U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement documentation identifying him as Gregorio Luis Perez, with a 1984 date of birth.

Coroner spokesman Ed Winter told The Times that they had initially identified him as Manuel Jaminez, a name they obtained from a cousin at the scene.

Protests, memorials and sporadic bouts of violence have occurred in the neighborhood almost daily since an LAPD bicycle officer shot and killed the laborer near 6th Street and Union Avenue. It was around 1 p.m. when a pedestrian flagged down a group of three bicycle officers. They were told that a man with a knife was threatening people, according to a police statement.

Officers approached the man, ordered him to drop the knife several times in both English and Spanish, and opened fire when he allegedly lunged at one of the officers, authorities said. According to coroner's records, the man died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Police said that they recovered a knife from the scene and that detectives are investigating the killing.

Read the full story here.

-- Ruben Vives

Comments

[George]

Well, in that case then, it is OK to head shoot the guy.

[LOU]

Several names? this is news? guess what? they all drink,drive drunk and run back to mexico, thats a fact!

[RAMS1956]

I agree, viva sb1070 go jan,and go joe.

[Judy]

Gee, George, if someone was coming at you with a big old knife and you had a gun, would you be able to kneecap him? The man was drunk, but haven't heard whether he was on drugs. Both night make his pain tolerance higher and then, whoa is me, he knifes you. It's easy to be side-chair commentator. I wasn't there and neither were you. Maybe the shooting was excessive, but all the facts aren't in yet. Give it a rest already. Where do you draw the line when people break the law and threaten violence? I wouldn't want Ofc. Hernandez's job for love nor money.

[RAMS1956]

I agree, viva sb1070 go jan,and go joe.

[robert whisenant]

i don,t know what all the fuss & rioting is about. he was told by spanish police officers to drop the knife. he refused to obey their command, so therefore they did the only thing left to do. if you immigrants from south of the border don,t want to listen to what you,re told by the authorities when you,re violating a law. then i suggest that you stay in your own country ok.

[Bob Reginald]

Did one of his names start with 'illegal'?

Alcohol and stupidity kill.

[All Hallows Eve]

glad you see it my way George

[Bob Henning]

I guess the people who originally flagged down police to report a man with a knife threatning people were lying. The Low Lifes in the area want to lie and discredit the Police as Liars because they Hate the Police. The Truth is most of the various immigrants Hate America and Americans and are strictly here for Money and whatever Freebies they can Glom onto. The Family of course will say he was unarmed and was as gentle as a New Born Panda, This sets the stage for a Multi Million Dollar Law Suit.I`m sorry the Person died but the Police just DON`T Drive up and Start Shooting no matter what the Scumbags Say.

[Compak]

@Lou

Hey buddy,this guy was from Guatemala not Mexico.Get a clue.

[Joe Lopez]

Dean Wermer was right.
Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life

[PRECIGIL]

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS OFFICER HAS USED EXCESSIVE FORCE.

[RP]

It doesn't matter if he went under 100 names. He was still murdered by cowardly police officers who could have easily handled the situation with minimal force.

[Southoc]

Poor criminals. They just have is so rough. We obviously are not doing enough for them.