Victim in deadly Christmas Day shooting is identified

Authorities said the man killed in the Christmas Day shooting in Echo Park was Cesar Frank Guerrero, 18, of Paramount.

[Updated at 11:45 a.m.: At least 242 homicides have been reported within four miles of Saturday 's shooting since January 2007, according to coroner’s data collected for The Times’ interactive Homicide Report.]

Three others were wounded but survived in a confrontation that occurred Saturday morning  between pedestrians and a group of men riding in a car in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, police said.

Authorities said they had not yet determined a motive and had not made any arrests in the incident, which left one of the people in the car dead and three pedestrians wounded.

The incident began shortly before noon in the 1200 block of Innes Avenue, between Sunset Boulevard and the Dodger Stadium parking lot areas, according to police.

The vehicle, a white Honda Civic, apparently was then driven to another spot in the neighborhood, about 10 blocks away at Baxter Street and Echo Park Avenue, and abandoned with the body of the dead man inside, according to Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Lt. John Romero.

-- Garrett Therolf

Map: Shows location of Saturday's shooting in purple, as well as 242 other homicides, in red, since January 2007. Credit: Homicide Report

Comments

[Just]

This had to be gang related for many reasons. Who carries guns on Christmas day about noon? The guys in the car leave their friend dead a few blocks away like if he was a dog? The guys on the street also have guns to fire back. Yes it's sad, but there could only be one outcome when this happens, someone dying and a family grieving.....

[Anonymous]

I'm sure all these citizens have their guns registered according to the law. When you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have them. I guess they didn't bother following the law about murder either.

[Jennifer]

That is a shame on Jesus birthday!!!

[John]

Dear Anonymous :

I hope you understand that the law which you bemoan allows police and prosecuters to go after these bad guys with unregistered weapons in addition to other crimes they may have committed. Sometimes a jury may not have enough evidence to convict on the larger crime but they can convict on the weapons charges. So it helps put BAD PEOPLE away.

Having to wait 3 DAYS and register your weapon is such a small burden for everyday, law abiding Americans that they do not complain about it. They understand that the law is there for everyone's protection.

In the future, please try to think critically about these things and consider alternative perspectives just so that you can make a more educated decision and offer more robust opinions rather than regurgitating the latest cackling of the likes of Glenn Beck and others.

[decentdiscourse]

It's a shame on anybody's birthday.

[Anonymous II]

In California, the waiting period for a new gun purchase is 10 full days, not 3. The waiting period also applies even if the purchaser already owns a gun, and thus is already able to do whatever evil would be prevented by the waiting period.

It's also perfectly possible to forbid possession of guns by felons while not infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

John, perhaps you, too, could think critically about these issues without mechanically repeating others' overinflated claims.

[J.J.GARCIA, JR.]

L.A. was like my home away from home during the early sixties, while I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Point Arguello Missle Facility near Lompoc, after 1 1/2 years in southeast Asia with the 3rd Marine Division. L.A. had many gangs in the 60's, but most of these thugs settled their differences with other gang bangers, with fists and kicks, and sometimes knifes. I still visit L.A. often, and learn of the gang and guns problem, which is also so common in other large U.S. metro areas, including here in Houston. Why are there so many lethal weapons in the streets in the hands of young and un-responsible people? Maybe we need to establish more law and order, by cracking down on all organized criminal entities. We should start with not electing judges who have a record of being to soft on criminals. Secondly, we should submit larger budgets for payroll purposes to our hard-working Department of Correction, city, county, state, and federal law enforcement peace officers, to eliminate this problem. And finally, we should use the death penalty more ofter, and shorten the appeal period to only four years.

[Montana Gold-]

Who are we kidding? Tons of people carry guns, good guys, bad guys, paranoid people that understand cops aren't around to save your life, people who work hard and have children, and yes arrogant people too . In this day in age of so much noise and murder, carrying a gun, and keeping to yourself seems logical. Seems the people in the car were to blame, when you are on foot... you don't really harass drivers. And who ever shot first, is to blame for the kids murder, even if it might of been the driver or victim. Who really cares about gang ties, now a days a guy with a hot head can kill you... no matter of gang ties. I had a man parked outside my home waiting to kill me cause i was nailing his wife, until he got caught and stopped doing it. Gotta be careful. I'm with CCW's for all people that pass a BG check. Criminals, don't care about any laws, some of us fear the law like babies!

[none]

so sad. one year ago he walked across a stage in cap and gown. proud. my heart goes out to his grandmother.

[Sheba]

are you guys serious. These criminals obtain guns illegaly. The laws are not for the lawless. these people do not follow the law, that is why we have so much crime and murder. You cannot legislate morality.

[Kevin]

Rest In Peace Cesar. From Your family @ Homeboy Bakery.

[JAYBBY]

ii LOVE YOU BABE<3ii MiSS YOU SO MUCH MUAHHH...

[JAYBBY]

ii LOVE YOU<--

[JAYBBY&CEEBBY]

ii LOVE YOU CESAR<3MUAHH

[lady rival]

iknoe exactly what this victims loveds ones are goin threw.ijus lost the father of my child and nothin wil ever b the same..its sad that this has too happin..rest in peace ceaser..and too all the negative people jus keep ur mouth closed if u have nothin good to say..

[JAY]

ii LOVE YOU<--FOREVER kEEPiN'R'PROMiSE-QUE Mi AMOR