Benjamin Armenta, 20

Feb. 11, 2015

Benjamin Armenta, a 20-year-old Latino, was found dead Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the 2200 block of Sheridan Street in Boyle Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 5:30 a.m., a resident in the area called police after finding Armenta on a sidewalk, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Armenta was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:38 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hollenbeck Homicide detectives at (323) 342-8900. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

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22 reader comments

Mystery writer,
A degree in Psychology do I guess you want to put up degree for degree? You do remember that C's earn degree's and just because you have a degree does not make you an authority in human development or anything else outside your expertise. Most of what you say is so generic...that's like me saying anyone with a degree in Psychology can judge so generically kids in East Los Angeles! Some kids...some right how about being more accurate and giving all of us a more definite number? What I find so offensive is your general description for a whole society of people. You may have earned a degree but your statement is full of general statistics. I grew up in East Los Angeles my best friend for years as a child was a shot caller for a gang. I never got involved in gangs, I never saw that side of her father...not to say her father didn't do things. But how dare you make a statement that labels all of us. I too have a degree because I knew it was my way out. And yet I do not use that degree and a badge against a whole group of people that I do not know and will not judge as a whole any one group. Even your last statement is full of such general statements...when was the last time you actually took that degree off the wall and used it for something more than just a decoration. Pass judgment...I thought Psychologist were above all that.

— Jane Feb. 24, 2015 at 3:38 p.m.

My brother mentored Benji is also his best friend. Over the course of over 5 years he was always around our family functions, church, community events, and powwow. Well-mannered young man, respectful to elders, children, females, everyone.
In exchange unbeknownst to Benji he became a role model in the eyes of my 10 year old son. Over the course of five years give or take Benji has brought light to our life. Another grandson for my grandmother to care for. Another brother to open the door to, feed, and expect visits from. Another uncle for my son to look up to.
Deepest condolences to Benji’s family, his mother. Benji, you are greatly missed. Your absence is like the absence of light- the light you that radiated from your presence.

— Desiree' Feb. 24, 2015 at 8:52 a.m.

Another victim to the hands of STATE ST, our community needs to install cameras all around this neighborhood so we can place all these killers, and drug dealers in jail where they belong!!!! Its sad to see our kids being used to push drugs and murder others for the older generation. At what point will you wake up and think of all the stupid things you have done just to satisfy someone else. Look at all the ones who have been caught and wake up and have a second chance and leave this place as there is no one saved from leaving their kids around the STATE ST GANG. You put in work for the olders to look up to you and say wow! this guy i can use to pull my work. YOU GET CAUGHT HE GOES FREE. Is that a real friend!! Wake up before its too late, They are using all you youngsters to push their dope and what i mean by that again i say their dope as you must sell whats given to you by the SUR. Why are you trying to bring the jail system to the STREETS!!!!! YOU AINT GOT A LIFE AND JUST WANT TO DESTROY OTHERS!!!

— BE WISE. Feb. 23, 2015 at 4:20 p.m.

What part did you disagree with? I have a degree in psychology. Everything I said was right on the money. ENVIRONMENT is everything. Some kids who grow up in East L.A. paint and mark their territory.

A bear in the woods marks it's territory. If another bear comes around, it kills it. The bear thinks it's 'protecting it's territory'.

Gangs in L.A. see another gang member in "their" territory and they kill them. You can't see the similarity?

Anyway, I truly do not mean to disturb anyone or create any problems. I do believe that understanding the root cause of being in a gang is a key to possibly creating a new type of system (life) where a person would not want to be in a gang.

Many gangsters saying being in a gang offers power, prestige, and believe they are 'protecting' their neighborhood (territory). The problem is, other gangs think they are protecting their neighborhood also. Then, when one crosses another's territory, fights break out and a poor kid lies dead on a sidewalk.

Furthermore, there is a 'pride' issue. Everyone is competitive and their seems to be a gang mentality of 'my neighborhood is better than another gang's territory). It's kind of competitive. People are naturally competitive.

That's B.S.?

My goal is hopefully people will one day figure out a way to take the 'prestige' out of being in a gang, and take away any power a gang feels they have. While at the same time offering something positive for young people to get very interested in, that is not animalistic/territorial behavior that can get them killed.

It's a challenge, but hey, the world CAN change, just as whites used to hang thousands of blacks in the south and no longer do. I feel that NO ONE has truly made the impact needed to END gang violence. That does not mean an impact cannot be made. It just means no one's figured it out yet.

— Mystery Writer Feb. 21, 2015 at 10:21 p.m.

Mystery Writer,
I have tried to respond to you on several occassions but the powers that be won't let it go through...so here is hoping this one makes it.

Where do you get your facts and figures from? You are so full of unsubstanciated information on wonder you post under a an anonymous title. It allows you to voice your opinion without having to take any responsiblity for what you write. You have almost no idea how far off you are with our opinion but I guess since this blog is open to the public every so often someone comes on here with their copmuter as their took and their words full of BS that it makes logging on here fun because one never knows what kind of words are going to be left. I certainly hope that as a mystery writer you have enjoyed being published. HA-HA

— Jane Munroe Feb. 20, 2015 at 2:55 p.m.

Environment is everything. Kids who grow up in Montana end up as cowboys w/ horses. Kids who grow up in Japan eat sushi and read anime comic books. There is practically no violence in Australia, it just doesn't exist. Kids who grow up in East L.A. area paint and listen to hardcore rap. Some carry guns.

Painting is simply marking your territory like a dog pees a scent on a tree to say "this area is mine". It's not a bad thing. I just don't understand the constant "we are at war with the group in the next neighborhood" mentality.

I have a small dog that's territorial. Every time he sees another dog he growls loudly. The thing is, he's a dog. People are supposed to be a little smarter than that. I hope this stuff stops in the future. It's going to take psychology to fix gang mentality, not just policing.

R.I.P.

— Mystery Writer Feb. 20, 2015 at 1:16 a.m.