Armando Casillas, 38

June 17, 2012

Armando Casillas, a 38-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Sunday, June 17, in the 14400 block of Beaver Street in Sylmar, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Casillas got into a verbal argument with an unknown person about 10:55 p.m.

At some point, the other person left the area only to return and shoot Casillas in a drive-by.

Authorities were called and the victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m. Coroner's records show he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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For the Record

Feb. 22, 2017, 5:40 p.m.: A previous version of this report misspelled Casillas' first name as Armondo. It is Armando.

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-- Los Angeles Times

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12 reader comments

@ Jag,

Of course your average citizen is going to support law enforcement. Do you truly believe life would be better without cops? Are criminals going to police themselves in a respectable manner?

I never once proclaimed all law enforcement officials are squeaky clean, in fact I don't trust them and never have. Where there is power, there is corruption; that is a fact!

But I still hold true that if a cop were to tell me to drop my "weapon", I'm dropping whatever I have in my hand that they perceive as one. What choice do I have in that scenario? We've seen the alternative, yet you won't read about the correct choice as it's most likely a non-incident.

As far as the race card, I truly don't see skin color unless I'm just messing with one of my ethnic friends, but I expect the same in return.

I'll side with you in that there is nothing worse than a crooked cop; A gangster with the power to play both sides. I can only pray that the system weeds these criminals out so that those that have truly pledged to protect and serve the innocent don't get bunched into a bias that you obviously promote.

— mightymike33tm3 Nov. 19, 2012 at 2:19 p.m.

My last encounter with the judicial system was a few months ago when I went to court to fight a traffic violation. Not surprisingly the judge sided with the officer and I was found guilty for speeding. We can go back and forth and I won't convince any of you, but the cop lied. This is where the injustice lies. Nonetheless, there's a white lady who was cited for having loud music and she claimed and incriminated herself for playing loud music and her excuse was that it was the jewish holidays and she was excused. Seriously, where's the justice? This lady incriminated herself and the judge gives her a break. I on the other hand presented evidence of how it was impossible to have been speeding and that didn't mean anything to the judge and I had to pay a hefty fine. Syscom3 and other White people you find it hard to believe because it doesn't happen to you, but if it did you will be more open minded about how racist the judicial system is.

— Jag Nov. 17, 2012 at 10:08 a.m.

I don't need to run with this story at all because this is, unfortunately, not new news to me. It's obviously something shocking to all the cop supporters and I can only imagine you having a hard time digesting the truth about these dirty cops. No matter how much evidence is given to you about how dirty some cops are, you are going to dismiss it and continue to take your stand in supporting these thugs with a badge. The under privilege people, which are for the most part minorities, are the ones who get the short end of the stick. Many have to take deals in order to avoid serving more time for a crime they did not commit. I avoid playing the race card, but when a white homeless man gets killed by cops in fullerton, some cops are actually held accountable. I'm all for justice, but when a cop kills a hispanic or black justice is not served. Syscom3, you like stats and I was wondering if you happen to have the demographic breakdown of people who are charged with a crime and are actually found guilty. I'm almost certain the White people get more of a break than minorities. It's sad but true.

— Jag Nov. 17, 2012 at 10 a.m.

@ allbad,

How am I syscom's groupie? Because he speaks the harsh truth and I agree with "most" of his posts? Are you insinuating that I have no organic opinions? Pretty simple-minded and shallow of you. But then again, that's a major part of the problem with people who are in denial.

Does reading the truth hurt you? You sound bitter. And you obviously have a negative disposition based on your "name". As far as the "whatever" part of your statement, crack the code and adhere to it, by all means.

To speak on this story, I'm glad they caught this monster, regardless of his race or occupation. Who knows how many other times he abused his authority, it's just sick. He needs to burn in hell just like any other murderer, but he won't last long in general pop.

I also agree with Meck... I can hear Jag yell, "BINGO" as I read this.

What a shame, hopefully his family and friends can find peace during this unfathomable time. RIP Armondo.

— mightymike33tm3 Nov. 16, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.

Syscom 3 comment about this gang member that killed this man oh wait he's a deputy oops...I guess not even they follow the law I'm so glad the caught this dirty deputy and to think only low life gang members kills huh.....always complaining how gang members are worthless and it happened to be a sheriff lapd and the sheriffs are the biggest gang in Los Angeles that's a fact they kill for no reason of course they always use the excuse ......he was reaching in his waist...I seen a shiny object and after the investigation they never find nothing ..how about they give them life in prison or better yet the death penalty so syscom3 and his lil la times groupies he has like mightymike what ever his weird name is and the rest suck on that suckers..oh hold up he yelled before he killed that man like a coward in a drive bye---la county sheriff..were you from........wtf.....serious

— allbad Nov. 14, 2012 at 8:58 p.m.

The Man who shot & killed my Brother Arnando, We think he is a L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF.he also shot and try to killed our nieghbor and witness but missed him as he moved out of the bullet way. when he was standing with my brother Armando , the reason we think he is a Sheriff is that he shouted to my Brother "L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF WHERE YOU FROM " as if the sheriff was in a gang or maybe he is. Is sad to say but we haved received more info from friends and family then the LAPD who are in charge of this case.LAPD has not done a line up, no picture to the witness , just an audio they brought to the witness to hear and to see if it sounds like the sheriff. LAPD is not looking for no Murderer in this case in Sylmar on Father Day .WHAT IN THE WORLD. JUST AN AUDIO TO HEAR IF IT SOUNDS LIKE HIM.
IT SOUNDS LIKE A COVER UP TO ME

— Armando's Brother Aug. 5, 2012 at 2:48 p.m.

Armando "Cookie" Casillas was a loving, big-hearted man who would do anything for his family and friends. He did not deserve to be killed. He was taken from us through an act of cowardice, by an animal who has no concept of the value of life. In his death, we lost a loving man, son, father, uncle, cousin, Sensei, and friend. He will never be forgotten, and will always be in our hearts.

To the coward, who so heartlessly and without remorse, took Cookie from us...you may run, but you will one day be caught. You will always have to live with your choices, and , if nothing else, will someday have to answer to God for your actions. If you have any information about this coward, please share the information with the authorities.

Cookie, we will always love you and will miss you forever. You will always be in our hearts, and we look forward to seeing you again someday in Heaven.

— Heartbroken Cousin June 29, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.