Los Angeles: On Saturday, February 9th, 2002, 4:30 p.m., Foothill Area patrol officers responded to a radio call to Holy Cross Hospital to conduct a post shooting investigation.

The responding officers learned that a 28 year-old man, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso, had been transported to the hospital by friends in a personal vehicle. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and the friends who transported him to the hospital were at Richie Valens Park, located in the 14000 Block of Paxton Street, when they heard numerous gunshots. The victim was struck in the upper torso and fell to the ground. The victim was placed in a vehicle and transported to the hospital where he expired from his wound.

The victim was identified as Andres Vargas, a 28-year-old resident of Pacoima. The crime is being investigated as a gang related drive-by shooting.

The suspects and weapon are not in custody.

Foothill Operations Support Division Homicide Detectives R. Rodriguez, R Broker, and J. Martinez are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact the police at 818-834-3115 or 818-834-3102. During off-hours the number to call is 1-800-LAWFULL.

This information was provided by Detective Frank Bishop, Supervisor, Foothill Area Homicide.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.