An Argument Turns Deadly for a Group of Friends

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, June 19, 2000

"An Argument Turns Deadly for a Group of Friends"

Los Angeles – On June 19, 2000 at approximately 12:55 a.m., Northeast Area Uniformed Patrol Officers responded to a radio call, "Ambulance Shooting", located in the 1700 block of Vermont Avenue." Upon the officers’ arrival, they were directed to the rear parking lot of a business. The officers discovered the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Officers’ investigation revealed that the victim and his friends had been involved in a physical altercation with the suspects inside of the location. Security personnel escorted the victim, his friends, and the suspects out of the restaurant. One of the unknown suspect(s) left then returned a few moments later armed with an unknown type handgun and fired several rounds at the victim, striking him in the torso.

The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to the victim. The victim is identified as a male Hispanic, 22 years old. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

The motive for the shooting is possibly gang related, and the suspects are still outstanding.

Northeast Area Special Enforcement Unit, Gang Detail, is handling this investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident, is encouraged to contact Detective J. Rodriguez or Detective H. Averbuck at 213-847-4261. For further information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

This press release was prepared by Officer Marlo Lopez del Haro, Media Relations Section.

For Release 4:00 pm PDT
June 19, 2000