Los Angeles: On Monday, November 12, 2001 at approximately 7:00 a.m., Rampart area patrol officers responded to a radio call of an "Ambulance Death Investigation" in the 1300 block of 2^nd Street. Upon their arrival the officers observed the victim down in a vacant lot. The victim, a male Hispanic, approximately 45 years of age, had sustained several gunshot wounds to the upper torso and appeared to have been dead for several days.

The investigation revealed that maintenance personnel located the victim in the brush. There were no additional witnesses or suspects at the scene. The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time, as is the motive for this crime.

The identity of the victim is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

Rampart Area Homicide Detectives are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Detectives Y. Valdez or D. Noone at 213-207-2051.

This press release was prepared by Police Officer Victoria Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.