Los Angeles: On Thursday, January 22, 2004, at about 8:20 p.m., Van Nuys Area Patrol officers responded to a radio call, "Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Shots Fired" in the 14500 block of Gault Street. When the officers arrived, they found the victim, 20 year-old Ramon Cardoza, on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced Cardoza dead at the scene. The motive for the shooting and the suspect(s) identity are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Van Nuys Homicide Unit at 818-756-8370. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL or (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.