Carlos Sanchez Cruz, 31

Carlos Cruz, a 31-year-old Latino, died Monday, Feb. 3, after being shot a day earlier in the 9000 block of Tobias Avenue in Panorama City, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Cruz got into a fight with a 21-year-old gang member over $50, LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon said. As Cruz struggled with the man, a 17-year-old boy approached and shot Cruz “point-blank in the head,” Vernon said.

Gang officers stopped a group of men and women at a nearby park and identified the 21-year-old white man as Robert Chapman.

Investigators were then able to piece together the identity of the teenager, who was arrested about 7:30 a.m. Monday. His name has not been released because of his age.

Cruz was taken to a hospital where he was on life support until he was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. Feb. 3, said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

“It’s sad that a dispute over $50 would lead to a man’s death,” Vernon said.

Police said Cruz was a well-known transient in the area.

Anyone with information can call LAPD Det. Ryan Verna at (818) 838-9976. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times staff

Note: Police identified Cruz as Carlos Sanchez Cruz. The coroner identified the man as Carlos Cruz.