Victims, March 4-12, 2007
Akop Akopian, 24
Akop Akopyan, a 24-year-old man of Armenian descent, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds to the back and head at 6720 Mulholland Drive. His time of death was listed as 5:54 a.m. Monday, March 12. The site is where Mulholland Drive curves up the hill from alongside the 101 Freeway in Cahuenga Pass. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Hollywood Division detectives at (213) 972-2910.
Roberto Amante, 27
Roberto Amante, 27, a Latino man in his 20s, was killed, and a second man wounded, in a stabbing in the 4500 block of East Dozier Street in East Los Angeles around 10:50 p.m. Sunday, March 11. The second man fled the scene but later made it to a hospital, where he remained as of early this week.
Angel Ramirez, 32
Angel Ramirez, 32, a Latino man, was shot in the back of the head at 2905 Clarendon Ave. in Huntington Park, and died at 9:46 p.m. Saturday, March 10. Officers responding to a call of shots fired found him unresponsive on the sidewalk. A second victim, also a Latino man, was found nearby, also wounded by gunfire. He underwent surgery and survived. Police believe a suspect drove up and shot the pair.
Danny Saavedra, 16
Danny Saavedra, a 16-year-old Latino boy, was shot in the 500 block of 82nd Street in South-Central Los Angeles about 8:25 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, and survived on life support until 11:40 a.m. Saturday, March 10. He had been playing basketball in the street when his assailants drove by and shot at him in what police described as a gang-related attack. Afterward, officers from LAPD's 77th Street Division pursued a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the killing. Two teenage Latino boys got out, the officers followed on foot and caught them.
Jose Caldera, 42
Jose Caldera, 42, a stabbing victim, was found dead in a Dumpster at 10101 Garden Ave. in El Monte. His time of death was listed as 9:42 a.m. Saturday, March 10.
Jorge Gonzalez, 38
Jorge Gonzalez, 38, a Latino man, was killed by multiple sharp force injuries and a gunshot wound in a double homicide at 1401 South Center Ave. in Compton. His time of death was listed as 8:50 a.m. Saturday, March 10. (See listing below)
Lourdes Martinez, 22
Lourdes Martinez, 22, a Latina woman, died in the same incident as above from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death is listed at the same time. Both Martinez, and Gonzalez, above, were found dead in the home about 8:30 Saturday morning when Gonzalez's brother, who had come to clean up after the previous evening's party, found their bodies.
Kimberly Robbins, 47
Kimberly Robbins, 47, a white woman, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the back and neck in the 4300 block of Don Felipe Drive in Baldwin Hills. Her time of death was listed as 5:40 p.m. Friday, March 9.
Police called the case a murder-suicide. The victim's mother, who lives in the back house of a two-house property, called police about 4:45 p.m. to say that she thought her son-in-law had shot her daughter in the front house, police said. Officers from LAPD's Southwest Division responded and saw a woman lying on the floor inside the house. They carried out a rescue operation to bring her outside, but they found she was already dead. Her husband, Michael Robbins, 67, a black man, was later found dead at the scene. Detectives believe he shot his wife, who police identified as Kim Gehring, then turned the gun on himself.
Steven Robinson, 48
Steven Robinson, 48, a black man, was shot four times in the rear yard of a residence at 1524 S. Cochran Ave. in Mid-City Los Angeles, and was transported to a hospital where he died at 1:31 a.m. Friday, March 9. Police believe he had been in a dispute with someone in the yard, who shot him, then fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire detectives at (213) 473-0446.
Daniel Urenda, 23
Danielurenda_2Daniel Urenda, 23, a Latino man, suffered a gunshot wound to the head at 923 N. Lagoon Ave. in Wilmington and died at 9:10 a.m. Thursday, March 8.
Police learned of the killing the same afternoon when a woman walked into LAPD's Harbor Division station and told them the killer was her son, Edward Scaroni, 22, a white man. She directed police to the address where the killing took place; detectives found victim Urenda inside. Police tracked down the suspect in his home near the intersection of East First Street and Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach and surrounded him. Scaroni barricaded himself for three hours inside, then surrendered. Police said he had a history of mental illness.
Ortavin Hill, 28
Ortavin Hill, 28, a black man, was struck by a bullet that went through his arm and into his chest at 11120 S. Normandie Avenue in Athens. He died at 9:32 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. Sheriff's deputies said the victim was about to cross a street with his girlfriend when a Latino man approached, exchanged words with him, shot him, then fled.
Edgar Sanchez, 17
Edgar Sanchez, 17, a Latino man, was shot in the head at 112 West Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, and died at 10:38 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Fidel Navarette, 18
Fidel Navarette Jr., 18, was shot twice in the back of the head in the 700 block of Echelon Avenue in Valinda, and died at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Juan Morales, 18
Juan Morales, 18, a young Latino man, was stuck by bullets multiple times at Hartland Street and Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys, and died at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Morales was standing with his younger brother about 5:30 p.m. when a a white sport-utility vehicle pulled up, police said. The people inside yelled gang names and then one fired a gun, striking Morales, who was taken to a local hospital and died in surgery there. The next day, Van Nuys detectives arrested four people in Palmdale in connection to the killing, and also seized from them a gun, casings, a car stolen from LAPD's Rampart Division, and various stolen property. Two of those arrested are underage Latino boys. The other two are Latino men: Elder Robles, 18, and Alvaro Guerra, 23. All those arrested face adult murder charges, police said.
Jose Montalvo, 26
Jose Montalvo, 26, a Latino man, was killed by a slash across the throat at 8229 Canoga Avenue in Canoga Park, and died at Northridge Hospital at 8:59 p.m. March 5. Investigators said victim Montalvo was talking to a dancer in the club, when Zachary Todd Balonick, a 20-year-old white man sitting behind them, abruptly rose and slashed the victim's throat "for no apparent reason," police said. Police later arrested Balonick at his home in the 17300 block of Quesan Place in Encino.
Antonio Beabraut, 16
Antonio Beabraut, 16, a Latino youth, was struck by gunfire at the intersection of Clarendon Avenue and Pacific Boulevard in Huntington Park, and died at 11:48 p.m. March 4.
Antonio was with friends talking to girls in front of a night club when other youths drove up, and there was an argument which led to both groups driving around in pursuit of each other, according to police. Beabraut's group then returned to park in front of the nightclub, and a short time later, a third car drove up--a blue, older model Lincoln town car--and one of the occupants shot Antonio.
Antonio's friends sought to drive him to the hospital, but ended up crashing through the yellow tape at scene of another, unrelated homicide in South Gate--that of 22-year-old William Ramirez, listed below on the previous Coroner's list. Sheriff's detectives on that case describe being interrupted by a car full of panicked teenagers in the middle of their crime scene, who leaped out, yelling for help for Beabraut. The detectives got him an ambulance, and ultimately determined the two shootings were unrelated. Antonio died much later at a hospital.
Victorio Pratti, 26
Victorio Pratti, 26, a Latino man, was shot several times by another Latino man in an argument indoors at 10300 Bradhurst St. in unincorporated Whittier about 10 p.m., March 4. Pratti was transported to a hospital, where he died.
Ruben Rodriguez, 20
Ruben Rodriguez, 20, a Latino man, was at a party in the 1200 block of West 90th Street in Athens about 1:26 a.m. on March 4, when an argument broke out. One participant, a Latino man, fired indiscriminately into the crowd of party-goers, wounding four people, including one man critically. He then walked up to Rodriguez and shot him several times. Rodriguez died later at a hospital
Akop Akopian, 24
Akop Akopyan, a 24-year-old man of Armenian descent, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds to the back and head at 6720 Mulholland Drive. His time of death was listed as 5:54 a.m. Monday, March 12. The site is where Mulholland Drive curves up the hill from alongside the 101 Freeway in Cahuenga Pass. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Hollywood Division detectives at (213) 972-2910.
Roberto Amante, 27
Roberto Amante, 27, a Latino man in his 20s, was killed, and a second man wounded, in a stabbing in the 4500 block of East Dozier Street in East Los Angeles around 10:50 p.m. Sunday, March 11. The second man fled the scene but later made it to a hospital, where he remained as of early this week.
Angel Ramirez, 32
Angel Ramirez, 32, a Latino man, was shot in the back of the head at 2905 Clarendon Ave. in Huntington Park, and died at 9:46 p.m. Saturday, March 10. Officers responding to a call of shots fired found him unresponsive on the sidewalk. A second victim, also a Latino man, was found nearby, also wounded by gunfire. He underwent surgery and survived. Police believe a suspect drove up and shot the pair.
Danny Saavedra, 16
Danny Saavedra, a 16-year-old Latino boy, was shot in the 500 block of 82nd Street in South-Central Los Angeles about 8:25 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, and survived on life support until 11:40 a.m. Saturday, March 10. He had been playing basketball in the street when his assailants drove by and shot at him in what police described as a gang-related attack. Afterward, officers from LAPD's 77th Street Division pursued a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the killing. Two teenage Latino boys got out, the officers followed on foot and caught them.
Jose Caldera, 42
Jose Caldera, 42, a stabbing victim, was found dead in a Dumpster at 10101 Garden Ave. in El Monte. His time of death was listed as 9:42 a.m. Saturday, March 10.
Jorge Gonzalez, 38
Jorge Gonzalez, 38, a Latino man, was killed by multiple sharp force injuries and a gunshot wound in a double homicide at 1401 South Center Ave. in Compton. His time of death was listed as 8:50 a.m. Saturday, March 10. (See listing below)
Lourdes Martinez, 22
Lourdes Martinez, 22, a Latina woman, died in the same incident as above from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death is listed at the same time. Both Martinez, and Gonzalez, above, were found dead in the home about 8:30 Saturday morning when Gonzalez's brother, who had come to clean up after the previous evening's party, found their bodies.
Kimberly Robbins, 47
Kimberly Robbins, 47, a white woman, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the back and neck in the 4300 block of Don Felipe Drive in Baldwin Hills. Her time of death was listed as 5:40 p.m. Friday, March 9.
Police called the case a murder-suicide. The victim's mother, who lives in the back house of a two-house property, called police about 4:45 p.m. to say that she thought her son-in-law had shot her daughter in the front house, police said. Officers from LAPD's Southwest Division responded and saw a woman lying on the floor inside the house. They carried out a rescue operation to bring her outside, but they found she was already dead. Her husband, Michael Robbins, 67, a black man, was later found dead at the scene. Detectives believe he shot his wife, who police identified as Kim Gehring, then turned the gun on himself.
Steven Robinson, 48
Steven Robinson, 48, a black man, was shot four times in the rear yard of a residence at 1524 S. Cochran Ave. in Mid-City Los Angeles, and was transported to a hospital where he died at 1:31 a.m. Friday, March 9. Police believe he had been in a dispute with someone in the yard, who shot him, then fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire detectives at (213) 473-0446.
Daniel Urenda, 23
Danielurenda_2Daniel Urenda, 23, a Latino man, suffered a gunshot wound to the head at 923 N. Lagoon Ave. in Wilmington and died at 9:10 a.m. Thursday, March 8.
Police learned of the killing the same afternoon when a woman walked into LAPD's Harbor Division station and told them the killer was her son, Edward Scaroni, 22, a white man. She directed police to the address where the killing took place; detectives found victim Urenda inside. Police tracked down the suspect in his home near the intersection of East First Street and Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach and surrounded him. Scaroni barricaded himself for three hours inside, then surrendered. Police said he had a history of mental illness.
Ortavin Hill, 28
Ortavin Hill, 28, a black man, was struck by a bullet that went through his arm and into his chest at 11120 S. Normandie Avenue in Athens. He died at 9:32 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. Sheriff's deputies said the victim was about to cross a street with his girlfriend when a Latino man approached, exchanged words with him, shot him, then fled.
Edgar Sanchez, 17
Edgar Sanchez, 17, a Latino man, was shot in the head at 112 West Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, and died at 10:38 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Fidel Navarette, 18
Fidel Navarette Jr., 18, was shot twice in the back of the head in the 700 block of Echelon Avenue in Valinda, and died at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Juan Morales, 18
Juan Morales, 18, a young Latino man, was stuck by bullets multiple times at Hartland Street and Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys, and died at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.
Morales was standing with his younger brother about 5:30 p.m. when a a white sport-utility vehicle pulled up, police said. The people inside yelled gang names and then one fired a gun, striking Morales, who was taken to a local hospital and died in surgery there. The next day, Van Nuys detectives arrested four people in Palmdale in connection to the killing, and also seized from them a gun, casings, a car stolen from LAPD's Rampart Division, and various stolen property. Two of those arrested are underage Latino boys. The other two are Latino men: Elder Robles, 18, and Alvaro Guerra, 23. All those arrested face adult murder charges, police said.
Jose Montalvo, 26
Jose Montalvo, 26, a Latino man, was killed by a slash across the throat at 8229 Canoga Avenue in Canoga Park, and died at Northridge Hospital at 8:59 p.m. March 5. Investigators said victim Montalvo was talking to a dancer in the club, when Zachary Todd Balonick, a 20-year-old white man sitting behind them, abruptly rose and slashed the victim's throat "for no apparent reason," police said. Police later arrested Balonick at his home in the 17300 block of Quesan Place in Encino.
Antonio Beabraut, 16
Antonio Beabraut, 16, a Latino youth, was struck by gunfire at the intersection of Clarendon Avenue and Pacific Boulevard in Huntington Park, and died at 11:48 p.m. March 4.
Antonio was with friends talking to girls in front of a night club when other youths drove up, and there was an argument which led to both groups driving around in pursuit of each other, according to police. Beabraut's group then returned to park in front of the nightclub, and a short time later, a third car drove up--a blue, older model Lincoln town car--and one of the occupants shot Antonio.
Antonio's friends sought to drive him to the hospital, but ended up crashing through the yellow tape at scene of another, unrelated homicide in South Gate--that of 22-year-old William Ramirez, listed below on the previous Coroner's list. Sheriff's detectives on that case describe being interrupted by a car full of panicked teenagers in the middle of their crime scene, who leaped out, yelling for help for Beabraut. The detectives got him an ambulance, and ultimately determined the two shootings were unrelated. Antonio died much later at a hospital.
Victorio Pratti, 26
Victorio Pratti, 26, a Latino man, was shot several times by another Latino man in an argument indoors at 10300 Bradhurst St. in unincorporated Whittier about 10 p.m., March 4. Pratti was transported to a hospital, where he died.
Ruben Rodriguez, 20
Ruben Rodriguez, 20, a Latino man, was at a party in the 1200 block of West 90th Street in Athens about 1:26 a.m. on March 4, when an argument broke out. One participant, a Latino man, fired indiscriminately into the crowd of party-goers, wounding four people, including one man critically. He then walked up to Rodriguez and shot him several times. Rodriguez died later at a hospital
