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Carlos Alberto Martinez, 61

Carlos Alberto Martinez (2017-05-07)

Carlos Alberto Martinez, a 61-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, May 7, in the 6500 block of South Normandie Avenue in Harvard Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 8 p.m., Martinez was inside the store he owned, Martinez Market, along with a cashier, when two men wearing skintight hooded sweatshirts walked in, Los Angeles Police Det. Dave Garrido said.

One of the men, who had a gun, pointed it at Martinez, who also was armed. The two men then exchanged gunfire, Garrido said.

Martinez was struck during the shooting and was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:10 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Later that night, detectives were notified of a gunshot victim at a local hospital and determined that the man was one of the suspects in the armed robbery, Garrido said.

The man, identified by the coroner’s office as Alex Lomeli, an 18-year-old Latino, died at the hospital. Police think Lomeli was the gunman who shot and killed Martinez, Garrido said.

On May 10, prosecutors charged Hector Benitez, a 29-year-old Latino, in Martinez’s death. Benitez was charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance that the killing took place during a robbery, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Prosecutors say Benitez is a gang member.

An arraignment has been continued to June 8. Detectives are seeking an additional suspect in the killing, who was described only as a Latino, Garrido said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (323) 786-5113. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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