shooting: July 2008 Archives

This is what we'll be reporting:

Brett Nichols, who admitted to shooting a Rosemead man then dumping his body in nearby hills, is out of custody. The person he shot, 22-year-old David Rotela, may now face charges.

Here's a little more information on the story, which ran on the front page of today's Tribune.

NORWALK -- Five people were wounded at a party early Sunday when a man fired on a crowd with a shotgun, authorities said.
The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. in the 11200 block of Adoree Street, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Gannon said.
"(The shooter) fired four times into the crowd as people scattered and ran," he said.
One of the victims, 19-year-old Jason Ramirez, was shot in the "upper torso" and was hospitalized in critical condition, Gannon said.
After undergoing surgery, he was reportedly in stable condition, said Sgt. Ralph Gama.
Four others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.
Aaron Rincoln, 20, was also shot in the upper torso and suffered a head injury, Gannon said. Elmer Saravia, 20, was wounded in his legs, James Wilkerson, 23, was shot in the leg and wrist and Elizabeth Ramos, 23, suffered a grazing wound to her head.
Two of the wounded found their own transportation to the hospital, Gannon said.
None of the victims were believed to be gang members, however, officials believe the shooter may have gang ties, Gama said.
Preliminary reports indicated that the shooter and victims were all at a party together prior to the attack, Gannon said.
A fight broke out and the suspect retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his vehicle, then opened fire into a group of people, he said.
The shooter was described as a Latino man about 18-24 years old, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 230-250 pounds, Gannon said.
After the shooting, attacker fled in an unknown vehicle, officials said.
Witnesses could not provide a description of the shooter's vehicle because they were all fleeing to avoid being shot, Gannon said.
"We do have leads that we're following up on," Gama said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk station at (562) 863-8711.

This letter comes from Gloria Baptiste, sister of Shawn Baptiste, who was shot to death in Pasadena Fre. 7, 2007/ Baptiste was one of several killed during a spike of violence that took hold in Pasadena in 2007. Here's the letter:

 

During the week of July 14, 2008 a preliminary hearing took place at the Pasadena Superior Courthouse. The prosecution presented its evidence which included witness testimonies and audio tapings. At the end of the week-long proceedings the four men suspected of murder; Michael Grigsby, Jerrell Sanford, Jeremi Carr and Dwayne Rice, were formally charged with murder of Shawn Baptiste and attempted murder against the two men who were in the car with Shawn when the shooting took place. The case goes to trial August 1, 2008.

 

I know you probably get many stories similar to this, especially with the rising gang violence that has plagued Pasadena over the last 18 months. The violence has not only affected my family, but also the families of the other victims. However, what about the families of those who are guilty for these acts? What about the mothers of the four men on trial for the murder of my brother? Do they not grieve over the loss of their son? Do the men on trial not grieve over the loss of their future; their freedom?

The *shooting of a sheriff's deputy's mother in early July may have been a case of mistaken identity, according to a story by reporter Ruby Gonzales:

WHITTIER - Gang investigators say the July 6 shooting that wounded a deputy's 60-year-old mother was a case of mistaken identity.

They believe members of the Dead End Locos gang not only shot at the wrong house that night, the group also mistakenly tagged it two weeks ago.

Now deputies are asking for the public's help in finding three men wanted for questioning in the shooting in the 11700 block of Keith Drive.

One of two suspected shooters is already in custody and deputies have also recovered one gun and the getaway vehicle, a gold-colored Ford Explorer.

 

As for the mug shot. Here's the caption:

Ruben Rene 'Droopy" Amperano, one of the alleged shooters, was arrested during a parole and probation sweep on July 10. (Courtesy)  

I got this letter from someone who identified himself as a relative of the man who was shot Sunday near Royal Oaks and Shamrock in Monrovia. The relative makes some interesting points about policing in Monrovia and the overall investigation. I've removed any identifying information. Letter on the jump:

 

After several months of relative peace and quiet a neighborhood in Northeastern Monrovia was rocked by gunfire late Saturday. The victim was described as a member of the DuRoc Crips. No suspect description was available. I've updated our guide to shootings in Monrovia -- map embedded below -- It really seems like that paticular neighborhood has a penchant for violence. The shooting occurred very close to where Brandon Lee was killed in January.

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 "Edward Thomas Dewey, 21, of South Gate, was arrested early
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in the City of Pico Rivera on suspicion of
fatally shooting 35-year-old Jose Luis Casillas of Downey at an
Independence Day gathering in Montebello on July 4, 2008."

Eustolia De La Torre holds pictures of her two sons, Sergio, left, and
Michael who were both gunned down within a year in separate shootings.
Michael, 19, who was shot while standing in front of a home in
Altadena on Saturday, June 28, 2008. Sergio, 34, was shot in  July 2007. Suspects in that shooting are currently on trial. Pictured at her
home in Pasadena on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. (SGVN/Staff photo by Robert
Hong/SXCITY)