Los Angeles: On May 29, 2004 at about 11:35 p.m., officers from Rampart Division responded to a radio call of a shooting victim at 8^th Street and Union Avenue. When the officers arrived they found a Hispanic man, about 26 years old, on the roadway. The man had been shot with a handgun in the upper body.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to the University of Southern California Medical Center. The victim later died as the result of his injuries.

The investigation revealed the victim was at a pay telephone booth at the corner of 8^th Street and Union Avenue when an armed suspect confronted and shot him. The suspect left the scene in a dark color car that was parked in the parking lot at that location.

The suspect was described as being a Hispanic man in his early 20’s. He is said to have brown eyes and short brown hair, which he wore in a ponytail. He stood about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighed about 200 pounds.

This incident is believed to be gang related. No arrests have been made at the time of this news release.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending proper identification and notification to the family by the Coroner’s Office.

Anyone with information that may help in this investigation is asked to call Rampart Homicide Detectives J. Brewer or M. Mota at 213-207-2060. On weekends or during off-hours, please call the 24-hour, toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

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