Cynthia Perez, 14

May 27, 2008, 1:15 p.m.

Cynthia Perez, a 14-year-old Latina girl, was caught in gang crossfire as she sat in the back seat of her family's SUV at the intersection of Avenue 64 and York Boulevard in Highland Park about 3:10 p.m. Monday, May 26.

Perez was taken Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, where she was pronounced dead the next day at 1:15 p.m., according to Chief Assistant Ed Winter of the L.A. County coroner's office. Los Angeles Police Department officials said Fabian Aguirre, 33, had stopped at a light next to the Perez's SUV when he got into an argument with a 16-year-old juvenile gang member who was standing on the sidewalk. The youth allegedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Aguirre; one of the bullets struck Perez, authorities said. Perez's 7-year-old brother, who was sitting next to her, was treated for minor cuts caused by flying glass, police said. Aguirre, the driver of the truck, was also hit by the gunfire, but is expected to live. Two hours after the shooting, authorities arrested the 16-year-old alleged gang member on suspicion of attempted murder.

Photo: Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times

Share a memory or thought about Cynthia Perez

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

14 reader comments

I was born and raised in Cypress Park, Highland Park, and later Eagle Rock and my heart goes out to the victims of these senseless crimes. Especially for one so young. Today she might have been in college, or maybe she would be getting ready for her marriage, but she would have been 20-years old for sure.

I apologize for the commercial, but as long as the State of California refuses to let their good citizens arm themselves, this will continue. An armed society is a polite society and it is proven in violent crime stats. As state after state goes to concealed or open carry for law abiding citizens the state's violent crime rates fall. Sitting unarmed at a traffic light in Highland Park more than likely means you're in the minority. Of course carrying a gun will not save your life, but because these dirtbags don't know who has a gun they become less violent. It is the way of a bully and a coward which these punks are. I know: I moved to a state that went concealed carry 2-years later and violent crime in the big cities dropped the first year and hasn't really stopped dropping even 15 years later. We have our problems, but not like you folks. This poor little girl might be alive today if that punk wouldn't have felt immune to immediate retaliation.

— Donny Brook March 1, 2014 at 8:04 a.m.

Till this day I still think about what happened that Memorial Day. Didn't expect my world to change. You were taken from us at such a young age, my dear little sister how I wish this wasn't happening that I'll soon wake up from this nightmare. But it's the reality, you didn't deserve to die like this, I miss you so much, you were an innocent bystander had nothing to do with anything that was going on around our surroundings. As I held you, weeping hoping you'll come back to me. But you were gone. I'll never forget those traumatic images. I go see you every Sunday its not the same. That cold hard stone with your name engraved on it just serves to remind me what I went through and to witness how you left this world. I'll always love you my sister. Justice was served your killer received maximum 82 yrs to life. He cant hurt anyone no more. I miss and LOVE you my sweet Serenity.

— Rest In Eternal Peace Little Sister Aug. 22, 2013 at 3:51 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Cynthia Perez, 14

Share a memory or thought about Cynthia Perez

14 reader comments