Los Angeles: On Saturday April 17, 2004, at approximately 1:10 a.m., fifteen year old Juan Carlos Ortiz, a resident of Los Angeles, was standing in front of a business in the 2700 block of West Pico Boulevard. A car drove by westbound on Pico Boulevard from Kenmore Street. An unidentified occupant of the vehicle fired several rounds from a handgun and the victim was struck several times in the upper body. The vehicle then sped away from the area. The victim was transported to a local area hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Wilshire Homicide Detectives responded to the location and assumed investigative responsibility for this crime. At this time there is no description of the suspects or the vehicle they were in, and no motive has been established.

Wilshire Homicide Detectives Sandefur and Cade are investigating this murder and they can be reached at 213-473-0444. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to give them a call. A 24 hour toll free number is available at 1-877-529-3855.

This news release was prepared by Officer Don Cox, Media Relations Section, 213-485-2586.