LA PUENTE — A La Puente man died after being shot while riding a skateboard down a street late Saturday, according to sheriff’s officials and neighbors.
The identity of the shooting victim was not released Sunday pending confirmation that his family had been notified, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said. He was initially described as 35 years old.
He died at a hospital shortly after the attack, which took place about 11:15 p.m. on 2nd Street, just south of Main Street, authorities said.
“The suspects were last seen driving a silver Honda Accord,” Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. They were initially described only as three Latino men.
“Preliminary investigation seems to indicate that the shooting was gang related,” according to the sheriff’s department statement. “There is no further information available at this time.”
The killing was described in coroner’s documents as a drive-by shooting, MacWillie said.
Several neighbors said they heard a series of gunshots, followed by the sound of a car speeding away. Neighbors’ estimates of the number of gunshots they heard ranged from six to 12.
“There were 10 to 12 shots at least,” said on neighbor, who asked that his name be withheld for fear of retaliation. “Then I heard a car buzzing off. Zooming off.”
When the neighbor looked outside, he said he saw the wounded man lying in the street.
“He was awake, crying, saying, ‘Help me, I’m dying,’” the witness said. “It was really scary.”
But within a few minutes, the wounded man was no longer moving or speaking, he said.
Another nearby resident, who also asked his name be withheld, also said he heard the cries of the wounded man.
Before he was shot, the shooting victim had been riding his skateboard south on 2nd Street, he said.
The slaying came as a shock on what is normally a quiet street, the man added. “Thirteen years we’ve lived here. “Nothing like this has ever happened.”
The fatal shooting occurred about a block from La Puente City Hall, and about a quarter-mile away from the sheriff’s Industry Station.
While neighbors said they did not know the identity of the victim, several of them said they prayed for him, and were saddened to learn Sunday morning that he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.