13-year-old boy killed in apparent gang-related Westlake shooting
Police are searching for several suspects in an apparent gang-related shooting that killed a 13-year-old boy Monday in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Police said several men drove up to Temple Street and Benton Way about 7:25 p.m. and walked up to three teenage boys standing at the northwest corner. At least one of the men opened fire, and witnesses said they saw the boy fall to the ground before the attackers drove away in a dark-colored Toyota Camry, said Los Angeles Police Det. Michael Arteaga.
The 13-year-old boy was hit several times and pronounced dead at the scene. The two other teenagers were not wounded and fled the scene before police arrived, officials said. Police are asking them to come forward to help identify the suspects, and they urged anyone with information to call Rampart Station detectives at (213) 484-3639.
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-- Tony Barboza
Image: Map shows location of Monday's shooting in purple, as well as 90 other homicides in red, since January 2007. Credit: Homicide Report
EDITOR'S PICKS:
This is so heartbreaking. I wish these tragedies could be highlighted in an effort to combat this fantasy culture.
If these kids only knew the killing will NOT bring them any self-worth/respect by others. The illusion of being successful for killing another person must be shattered. We must work in helping dismantle this fantasy culture. The idea of a "gang." Nothing but a false sense of belonging.
You don't break this idea by being dismissive and trying to lock up young kids.
The younger generation, more so those who grow up in a society/culture plagued by this fantasy gang life, need help in understanding the fallacy of this culture.
Posted by: Alex | February 22, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Sorry LA Times but the corner of Benton and Temple is Silver Lake - it is NOT Westlake. Get a clue and stop trying to make all the hipster dufus transplants who've moved into and party around Silver Lake feel safe - Silver Lake is still a dangerous area filled with idiot gangsters like these.
Posted by: Greg | February 22, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Well said Alex. I couldn't agree more. This is so sad.
Posted by: newshawk | February 23, 2011 at 09:13 AM