Los Angeles: On Saturday, April 14, 2001, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Foothill Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Ambulance En Route/Shots Fired." The call was on the 10400 block of Cayuga Avenue in the Pacoima area of Foothill Division. Upon their arrival, officers located the shooting victim, Vicente Mena, a 22-year-old resident of Pacoima who was down on the street suffering from a gunshot wound. Responding paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Detectives determined that Mena had been involved in a gang fight with numerous gang members earlier in the evening. As the victim was attempting to flee, one of the suspects in the group who was beating the victim fired one shot at the victim, striking him in the upper torso. The group of approximately 10 gang-members fled on foot after the shooting.

Foothill Homicide Detectives are conducting the investigation. Anyone whit information that may assist this investigation is urged to call Foothill Homicide Detectives at 818-834-3115, or 818-834-3113 during daytime hours. During non-business hours, the number to call is the Foothill Area Watch Commander at 818-756-8861.

This press release was prepared by Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485 3586.