Christopher Hernandez, a 19-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, in the 4300 block of West Sunset Boulevard on the border of East Hollywood and Silverlake, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 10:58 a.m. Hernandez was walking along West Sunset Boulevard when a four-door vehicle pulled alongside him and a person inside fired multiple shots, witnesses told the Los Angeles Police Department.

The gunman was described as a Latino in his 20s, according to a news release from the department.

The car then fled east on West Sunset Boulevard toward Fountain Avenue, according to the release.

Hernandez was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call Northeast Division Homicide detectives at (323) 344-5744. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole …

Walter Battle, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, in the 9000 block of South Budlong Avenue in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Battle was walking south on South Budlong Avenue shortly before 6:45 p.m. when two sedans going the same direction stopped alongside him, said Lt. Eddie Hernandez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A person in one of the cars got out and exchanged words with Battle. The gunman then shot Battle, who was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:16 p.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

A 34-year-old Latina who was at a nearby home was treated by paramedics for a graze wound, Hernandez said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- …

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Viengkham Hansaya, a 48-year-old Asian man, was fatally stabbed June 5 in the 1200 block of East Imperial Highway in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Hansaya was standing in front of an apartment building shortly after midnight when a person walked up and stabbed him in the upper torso and back, Los Angeles Police Det. Sal LaBarbera said.

When Hansaya was stabbed, he tried to run but fell to the ground, LaBarbera said.

Hansaya was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:35 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Detectives are seeking witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Justin Scott Verano, a 38-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, June 4, near Sycamore and South Cedar streets in Montebello, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

People reported hearing gunshots in the area about 4:42 p.m. and when Montebello Police Department officers responded, they found Verano inside a four-door red sedan that had crashed, said Lt. Eddie Hernandez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Verano had been shot and was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office.

Detectives are unsure whether the gunman was in another car or on the street, Hernandez said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Reginald Dewayne Pitts, a 30-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, June 3, in the 1800 block of West 54th Street in Chesterfield Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Pitts was visiting with two other men in the street shortly before 7:30 p.m. when a black man walked up to him, said Los Angeles police Det. Sal LaBarbera. Pitts began to run away as the gunman began shooting, but tripped and fell. The gunman continued firing, LaBarbera said.

The gunman then ran to a light-colored SUV that was parked at West 54th Street and South Manhattan Place. The driver, who was also described as a black man, sped away.

Pitts was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:14 p.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-1383. Those who wish …

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Tijuan Folks, a 29-year-old black man, was shot and killed Monday, June 2, in the 100 block of West 98th Street in Broadway-Manchester, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Folks and a 19-year-old woman were sitting inside a red sedan about 9 a.m. when a white or silver mid-sized vehicle approached with two people inside, said Los Angeles police Det. Sal LaBarbera.

The front passenger in the vehicle fired several shots into Folks’ car, striking him multiple times. The female was not injured.

Folks was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman. An autopsy showed that Folks died of multiple gunshot wounds, Winter said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Daniel Alaniz, a 33-year-old Latino male, died Monday, June 2, after being shot in Pacoima, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

John Benjamin Alvarado, a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, June 1, in the 900 block of North Alvarado Street in Echo Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 2:45 a.m., Alvarado was walking southbound on North Alvarado Street when a gunman walked up to him and shot him, said Los Angeles police Det. John Motto.

The gunman then ran to a small red car that fled southbound on Santa Ynez Street, Motto said.

Alvarado was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:18 a.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Anyone with information can call Rampart Division homicide detectives at (213) 484-3641. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Amparo Vazquez, a 57-year-old Latina, was found dead Friday, May 31, in the 12000 block of South Inglewood Avenue in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

When family members did not hear from Vazquez for two days, they went to her home and found her dead in a closet, said Lt. Dave Coleman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies responded about 4:45 p.m.  

Vazquez, who was found in a state of decomposition, was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m. at the home, said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman. An autopsy showed that Vazquez suffered trauma to her head, Winter said.

Nicolas Lopez, a 34-year-old Latino, was arrested on suspicion of murder the next day. Lopez, who is Vazquez's son, has been charged with one count of murder and is being held on $1-million bail, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. He is due …

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Richard Alan Wurtz, a 37-year-old white man, was shot and killed Friday, May 30, in the 21000 block of East Arrow Highway in Charter Oak, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the area shortly after 11 a.m. and found Wurtz with a gunshot wound, said Lt. Dave Coleman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators later found that Wurtz went over to another person’s trailer to collect property and a dispute occurred, Coleman said.

Wurtz Tasered the other man, who shot him in return, Coleman said. Wurtz was pronounced dead at 11:47 a.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office.

The incident is still under investigation, Coleman said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at …

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