Father of five killed in La Puente drive by

Here’s the story as we know it. 

Victim was Steve Ontiveros, of Baldwin Park. 
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Ontiveros, a mechanic, was visiting his grandmother’s home in West Valinda to do a brake job on his aunt’s car, according to his wife, Monique Ontiveros .

His 9-year-old son was with him while his other four children, aged 4 to 11, were at home with their mother in Baldwin Park.

“He was a loving father, and would do anything for them. His daily routine was go to work, come home, be with kids, and on the weekend we would do the car club,” Monique Ontiveros said.

Two men, described as Hispanic, drove by in a dark colored pick-up truck and fired multiple rounds at Ontiveros.


They yelled a gang insult and drove away, Wilson said.

The shooters are believed to be members of the Puente Trece gang, Wilson said.

*Fatal shooting reported in Bassett

*UPDATED:

BASSETT — A 24-year-old La Puente man was shot and killed early Sunday morning in what police say may have been a gang-related attack.
Michael Alexis Gudiel, 24, of La Puente died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 3:15 a.m. in the 13900 block of Proctor Avenue, coroner’s and sheriff’s officials said.
Though authorities believe the shooting may have been gang-related, family members of Gudiel said he was not involved with gangs.
“He had a good heart,” said Michael Gudiel’s brother, Jose Gudiel. “He used to make me laugh.”
Deputies from the sheriff’s Industry Station had initially responded to reports of a shooting when, “they discovered the victim lying in the street, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound,” Deputy Lillian Peck said in a written statement.
Homicide detectives handling the investigation could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Michael Gudiel’s sister, Rose Gudiel, said her brother was attacked in a drive-by shooting as he walked home alone.
She said her brother was unmarried and had no children, but was working with an employment agency at the time of his death and was studying for a career with computers.
“He had plans to come ahead in life,” Rose Gudiel said. “He had plans to get married and have kids.”
Letty Gudiel, Michael Gudiel’s sister-in-law, said although Michael Gudiel was the youngest of his brothers and sisters, “he was very protective of his family.”
Family members also recalled him as a funny and shy man who loved music and the Lakers. They said Michael Gudiel was also competitive and athletic, and loved playing basketball.
“He was definitely funny,” said brother Herbert Gudiel. “And confident.”
Since the shooting, Rose Gudiel said the family has received support and comfort from neighbors.
Family members urged anyone who may have information about the shooting to come forward.
“If anyone saw anything, please help us,” Jose Gudiel said.

Armed robbery reported at gas station

BASSETT — A gunman escaped with an unknown amount of cash after robbing a Shell gas station Saturday, officials said.
The crime occurred about 1:15 p.m. at the gas station on Valley Boulevard at Sunset Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. James Wolak said.
The robber, who was described only as a man, used a black handgun and demanded cash from the register, he said.
Wolak added he was last seen fleeing the area south on 7th Avenue in an unknown-type vehicle.

Bassett High School lockdown over

BASSETT — Sheriff’s officials and school administrators placed Bassett High School on lockdown Thursday — the last day of school — after a student reported hearing talk of a shooting, authorities said.
The incident began just after noon at the high school, 755 Ardilla Ave.
“One kid overheard another student saying there was going to be a shooting after school,” Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Arthur Scott said.
The student notified a parent, who then called sheriff’s officials, Scott said.
The school was immediately placed on lockdown as patrol cars filled the neighborhood.
A junior at Bassett High School, Rene Payan, said students were told over the intercom system to stay in their classrooms, though they were not told why.
Class by class, sheriff’s deputies escorted the students in a single-file line from the campus through the rear exit on Puente Avenue, the student said.
Shortly after 2:15 p.m., the campus had been emptied of students, Watanabe said. Students were scheduled to be released at 12:15 p.m.
No weapons or evidence of a shooting plot was found, sheriff’s officials said, however the incident remains under investigation.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John McBride said authorities took the potential threat seriously.
The fact that the incident occurred on the last day of school, along with the fact that an 18-year-old man was shot and wounded in a drive-by shooting near the campus at Amar Road and Ardilla Avenue on June 5, added to officials’ concerns, McBride said.
As a precaution, the number of deputies on duty at Thursday night’s graduation ceremony was more than doubled, from nine to more than 18, authorities said.
“(Deputies) will be highly visible tonight,” Watanabe said. “You can’t take any chances.”
As she waited to pick up her brother from school, Zulema Carmona of West Covina said she was confident that the sheriff’s and school officials were keeping the students safe.
She added that she was concerned, however, because she and other parents had not been told why the lockdown had been ordered.
“If they don’t tell us why, I’m not going to feel safe enough to come back to the graduation,” she said.
The superintendent said parents of Bassett High School students were being notified through a phone system of what happened, and that the school was safe for the graduation ceremony.
The seniors were practicing their march when the lockdown began, Watanabe said.
The school choir sang to students who had to wait in the gym during the lockdown, he said. “The kids were very well-behaved,” he added.

Bloody crime scene in Bassett

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The Valley Inn in Bassett was the scene of a stabbing Tuesday morning that left a woman severely injured and her boyfriend in custody.

Detectives suspect Lorenzo Latimer stabbed his girlfriend several times in the throat and body before escaping to Riverside where he was captured.

Latimere is suspected of causing a freeway accident on the 57 freeway as he fled the crime scene. Additionally, detectives said he tried to burn his get away car.

Latimer is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. He’s due to appear in Rio Hondo Court Thursday morning, according to official records.

Robbers eat and run

Deputies at the sheriff’s Industry station are seeking a pair of robbers who enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant before helping themselves to the cash register and tip jar:

BASSETT — Two men sat down and ate at a local restaurant before robbing it at gunpoint, authorities said.
The crime occurred about 6 p.m. at Little Beijing, 550 S. Workman Mill Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Relyea said.
Two robbers, described only as Latino men in there 20s, ate at the restaurant before standing up and using a handgun to steal cash from the register as well as the restaurant’s tip jar, the lieutenant said.
No further details were available.

Homeless roundup


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INDUSTRY — Sheriff’s officials are in the process of “relocating” several homeless people encamped near San Angelo Park in La Puente.

The operation began about 7 a.m. and will continue through the day. As many as 60 homeless are encamped near the park in the San Mateo Creek, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s Capt. Mike Smith.

“There’s a lot of underbrush and thickets there,” he said. “It’s not hygenic. Another problem is that it’s still winter and we’re due for rainstorms. A rising river poses a threat to them and public safety personel.”

Smith said the homeless will be hooked up with mental and social services and beds will be found. The folks will be innoculated.

Oh, and the sheriff’s department will run a criminal background check on al lthey come into contact with, Smith said.

“There are criminals that use homeless encampments for cover to go out and commit burglaries and robberies,” he said. “Everyone will be run for warrants and their criminal wanted history.”

The death of Frankie B

Frankie B  was shot to death at Characters Bar  in Pomona Monday night.

Described as a “legendary emero” Frankie B, was apparently picked up last year in a sweep of P-12 on Pomona’s southside. he was back out and enjoying a bit of night life when his number came up.

By all accounts, Frankie B was pretty well known and fairly well-connected in the East San Garbiel Valley.

Apparently he once lived in Bassett. but hung out in Pomona. He frequently jogged around the neighborhood and tried to stay fit, according to at least one person who knew him. One rumor has it that Frankie was “in the hat” for several years and knew it.

Anyway, In the Hat has a short posting, with a ton more comments. By way of full disclosure, I once mispent a year of my life hanging out at Characters, shooting pool, tossing darts and swilling beer.

 

 

 

My Place shooting in Bassett

The early version … more to follow:
By Dan Abendschein
Staff Writer
BASSETT Following an argument over how a band should be paid, police said Monday they looking for a man who opened fire in a crowded bar, killing an innocent bystander and wounding four others.
The shooting Saturday night followed a dispute over whether bar patrons should pay extra to hear live music, officials said.
The suspected gunman is described as 6 feet tall, 235 pounds. He is between 35 and 40 years old and was driving a light-colored SUV, said Lt. Dan Rosenberg of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Homicide Bureau.
shooting and killing
Killed was Bernardo Mendoza, 44, of La Puente, who was gunned down even though he had nothing to do with the dispute over paying the band, Rosenberg said..
Mendoza left behind a wife and two children, according to Rosenberg.