UPDATED: Man shot to death in front yard of West Whittier home identified

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WEST WHITTIER — Authorities Wednesday released the name of a West Whittier father who was shot to death over the weekend in the front yard of his own home.
Arturo Roque, 45, died at a hospital shortly after he was wounded in the 10:06 p.m. shooting in the 6100 block of Pioneer Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Roque was not a gang member, however detectives suspect his killer or killers were, Lt. John Corina of the Sheirff’s Homicide Bureau said.
“According to several witnesses, the victim, along with his wife and another couple, were in the front yard of the victim’s residence when a white-colored sedan drove north on Pioneer Boulevard,” according to Lt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. The vehicle was further described as a compact car.
“As the car drove past the victim’s house, someone from inside the car shot at the individuals standing in the front yard, striking the victim,” he said. Roque was struck multiple times by the gunfire. None of the others were injured.
No argument or exchange of words preceded the shooting, Corina said.
“He was standing with his wife and another couple that was visiting,” the lieutenant said. “They were just hanging out for the holiday weekend.”
No description of the attacker or attackers inside the car was available.
While Roque himself was not involved with a gang, Corina said one of his relatives was believed to be. Detectives were looking into the possibility that the relative’s suspected gang ties were involved in the shooting.
A person from the neighborhood, who did not give his name for fear of retaliation, said Roque was a soft-spoken, responsible man who worked as a gardener. “He was a father of five children, the youngest, a teenager, and he took care of his family,” he said. “I was crushed when I found out (about Roque); he loved his family and was trying to raise (his kids) to grow up to be good citizens.”
The neighbor said Roque mowed most of the neighbors’ lawns and worked from dawn to dusk. “I have nothing but nice things to say about him,” he said.
According to public records, Rogue had lived in the home for 10 years.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

– Brian Day and Venusse Navid

PHOTO of flowers marking scene of fatal shooting by Venusse Navid
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

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