Infant slain by stray bullet is mourned
By Ari B. Bloomekatz
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 25, 2007
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About a dozen people showed up at St. Vincent Catholic Church in South Los Angeles to console Luis Angel Garcia's mother, view the tiny casket holding her baby and hear the funeral Mass.
It took only two pallbearers to carry the casket at the end of the 30-minute service.
But Luis' death has reverberated throughout Los Angeles as city officials and residents try to make sense of how a 23-day-old baby could be a victim of gang violence. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the slaying and its causes were a "top priority," and the Los Angeles Police Department initially devoted 20 detectives to the case.
Luis was shot dead 10 days ago near the intersection of 6th Street and Burlington Avenue, near MacArthur Park. Authorities said three members of the 18th Street gang walked into a crowd of hundreds on a Saturday night and shot 37-year-old Francisco Clemente, a street vendor who reportedly refused to pay $50 in "rent" to the gang.
One bullet struck the infant, who was there with his mother, who has not been publicly identified.
"This little angel is now in heaven," said the Rev. Ruben Restrepo, who celebrated the Mass.
At times, Restrepo spoke directly to Luis' mother as if no one else were in the room, and told her that though violence claimed her son's life, prayer and good deeds could eventually overcome the tragedy.
She wore a white shawl over her head and wept as the casket was covered in white cloth, sprayed with holy water and then blessed with incense and smoke. A private burial followed.
Police arrested Luis Silva, 19, last week in connection with the killing and said they were seeking other suspects.
At least four police officers attended the funeral. They pleaded for residents near MacArthur Park to come forward with details of the shooting or any experiences with gang extortion. People with information can call (213) 485-2531, or after hours at (213) 485-3261.
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Just-Off-The-Cuff has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Just-Off-The-Cuff endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 25, 2007
Go to Original
About a dozen people showed up at St. Vincent Catholic Church in South Los Angeles to console Luis Angel Garcia's mother, view the tiny casket holding her baby and hear the funeral Mass.
It took only two pallbearers to carry the casket at the end of the 30-minute service.
But Luis' death has reverberated throughout Los Angeles as city officials and residents try to make sense of how a 23-day-old baby could be a victim of gang violence. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the slaying and its causes were a "top priority," and the Los Angeles Police Department initially devoted 20 detectives to the case.
Luis was shot dead 10 days ago near the intersection of 6th Street and Burlington Avenue, near MacArthur Park. Authorities said three members of the 18th Street gang walked into a crowd of hundreds on a Saturday night and shot 37-year-old Francisco Clemente, a street vendor who reportedly refused to pay $50 in "rent" to the gang.
One bullet struck the infant, who was there with his mother, who has not been publicly identified.
"This little angel is now in heaven," said the Rev. Ruben Restrepo, who celebrated the Mass.
At times, Restrepo spoke directly to Luis' mother as if no one else were in the room, and told her that though violence claimed her son's life, prayer and good deeds could eventually overcome the tragedy.
She wore a white shawl over her head and wept as the casket was covered in white cloth, sprayed with holy water and then blessed with incense and smoke. A private burial followed.
Police arrested Luis Silva, 19, last week in connection with the killing and said they were seeking other suspects.
At least four police officers attended the funeral. They pleaded for residents near MacArthur Park to come forward with details of the shooting or any experiences with gang extortion. People with information can call (213) 485-2531, or after hours at (213) 485-3261.
(In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Just-Off-The-Cuff has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Just-Off-The-Cuff endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
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posted by Rick | 6:14 PM
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