Christopher Jermaine Handy, 18

Jan. 20, 2015

Christopher Jermaine Handy, an 18-year-old black man, was stabbed to death Thursday, Jan. 15, in the 14000 block of Astoria Street in Sylmar, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Handy, who had been stabbed, was found in a condo he lived in with his mother and siblings about 9 a.m., said Lt. Paul Vernon with the Los Angeles Police Department.

An acquaintance had called police and said that “something bad happened” in the condo. Police then questioned the 17-year-old, and arrested him on suspicion of murder.

“There were enough holes in his story that we believe he was involved,” LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon said.

A second person has also been arrested on suspicion of murder. Vernon said the 17-year-old and the other person were not “strangers at all” to Handy.

The Times has contacted the L.A. County district attorney’s Office for more information on potential charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (818) 838-9951. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

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11 reader comments

Christopher , I miss you dearly
You would always have a huge smile on your face every single time I would see you ❤️ I remember always talking to u on the phone , having late night conversations about life ❤️ I have so much love for you as I know you did for me .. you were so bright and positive always had me laughing , you had the world in your hands . ❤️ The night before you passed away we were hanging out we spoke about violence not solving anything
You were in a very good state of mind . Not 1 single thing about you was negative
I’m so mad at him for taking you away from me . It’s not fair . I hope he rots in jail and pays for what he has done . I’m sorry you had to go that way ... I hope justice is served I’ll always keep you in my prayers .🙏 Rest In Peace love.

— Griselda Corzo Jan. 21, 2021 at 7:38 a.m.

Christopher was one very nice person some days when u would come to class he would see me upset and he would ask what's wrong he would help me with some of my classwork sometimes we would hang out by our classroom he was always polite he was not a mean person he was doing track with the coach that would help us in class I would not be even in college if it wasn't for him if it wasn't for him I think I would be on the wrong path but seeing what happened to my friend CJ makes me very irritated to hear what happened to him from a football coach donny that works at monroe high school I want the person that killed him to rot in hell for what he or she did to a person who was determined to make something of himself I saw cj one last time before it happened and he was so happy that he was in college he came to visit us in class then this happened to him I hope his mom and brother is ok

— John Mcfirstley May 5, 2019 at 11:55 p.m.

Christopher was in his second semester of college, he was attending Los Angeles Mission College where he was pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Christopher was also attending De Anza College for Bioengineering. He was training for a triathlon it was one the goals that he held close to heart.
Christopher was an exception son, brother and companion with a heart of gold. He would feed the youth making barbeques in the park. He truly love his family he would talk about them each and every day. There are no words that can express how much he was loved by everyone he came into contact with.
He loved everyone and accepted them unconditionally. He believe that everyone had good inside them that no matter what they had done in their life that there was still a chance for change. He believe that he could show them a better way through his faith in Jesus Christ. He was determine to make a change in society. My heart goes out to his mother because he was her best friend. I also feel for his friends who are deeply sadden by the loss of such a great friend and companion.
This a copy of a poem that his friends wrote about him; that his mother was placed in his obituary,
A beautiful Soul
A beautiful soul, an amazing personality with a smile that can light up and entire room, gone but absolutely never for gotten. Now we just have one more angel looking down at us. C.J a friend, a brother, a son, a great companion. We will always carry you in our hearts. We will have you in our thoughts and prayers. I hope that you are looking down on us tonight seeing all of us gathering on your behalf, your memories. That you have the smile of yours on your face because you see how many of us love you and miss you. Your soul is at peace now you did not deserve what happen to you. You are a nice loving and wonderful human being. Your body may not be here with us but your spirit will always be alive. We will always reminisce on the time that we shared. We will forever love you.

— Chris James May 27, 2015 at 11:40 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Christopher Jermaine Handy, 18

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11 reader comments