Daniel Leon, 22

Feb. 21, 2008, 3 p.m.

Daniel Leon, a 22-year-old Latino, was shot by Los Angeles police at the intersection of Drew Street and Estara Avenue in Glassell Park about noon Thursday, Feb. 21 and died about three hours later, according to coroner's records.

Authorities said Leon had been involved in the drive-by shooting of , a 36-year-old Latino, near Aragon and Roseview avenues in Cypress Park a short time before his confrontation with police.

Salas was holding the hand of his 2-year-old granddaughter when he was shot multiple times by people in a passing car, police said. The girl was not hit and did not suffer any major injuries, authorities said.

Police said officers from the Northeast Division pulled over a white Nissan sedan near the intersection of Drew Street and Estara Avenue. Three men got out and began shooting; Leon, they said, was armed with an AK-47 rifle.

Friends mourn at the site of a makeshift memorial to Daniel Leon The officers fired back, killing Leon and injuring another man; who was taken to a hospital and was being held for allegedly killing Salas.

A third suspect fled on foot, but was later found underneath a vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of murder, authorities said. The fourth man fled in the white Nissan and is still at large. The men were members of the Avenues gang, police said.

Leon had a history of violence. He was arrested for killing a drug buyer at the house in 2004 and was ultimately convicted of being an accessory to murder. In 2005, he was arrested in a case in which prosecutors alleged "he brutally beat and robbed a 43-year-old man . . . as his wife looked on." The wife would not speak to prosecutors out of fear of retaliation.

-- Joe Mozingo, Richard Winton and Sam Quinones

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45 reader comments

Its insane how many people get upset when someone talks badly about a gang member that was killed by police. Hey, maybe he was a nice guy, maybe he was a good father brother or son. I know a lot of guys out there that are good friends, but are hardcore gangbangers. That's the life they choose and they know that some day the will go out the same way. Scumbag or not, he got what he asked for. You don't spray a police vehicle and expect to walk away like nothing happen. He shot a man walking with his granddaughter... I don't care how "gangster" you are, there are certain things you just don't do. If he wouldn't have gotten shot and killed, he would have ended up in prison and probably gotten a good ass kicking from his own homies for putting the life of a baby in danger the way he did. How can you claim a neighborhood to be yours when the people in that neighborhood don't even want you there? Think about that next time you "claim" a block. That's your block? make it better and stop f*cking it up.

— Boyle Heights Turltle Jan. 6, 2015 at 9:35 a.m.

My homie Marco taught me that time heals everything and time catches up to people. My dad and Daniel's time was up as far as it goes yes they did bad things but everyone sees things in a different way. But all i ask is why did you come after my Dad?! i always pictured the perfect wedding with my daddy next to me but no his life as taken, i cant change that but neither can anyone else. I miss my dad ive gone six years without him and im now entering high school and when people talk about their dads i cant really stand but cry because mine is now gone. These past six years ive had dreams of my dad telling me to stay here and live this life that has no meaning anymore. Ive thought about taking my on life but i have sisters that need me because hes no longer there for us. RIP to My dad and Daniel. Let them live in peace let go of their past.

— Marcos's Daughter Feb. 20, 2014 at 11:49 a.m.

You, all of you who write about how bad the gangs are and what not... why is it that you talk a good one but you dont do something like talk to these gang members and tell them that the war they are fighting is a ""NO WIN SITUATION"
For any of them if one dies their familes have to deal with their loss of a father, or son or husband
and there will be someone elses son or daughter to take their place... so who wins? No one. The war for a street that dont belong to them...thats sad but what are we doing to stop the violence...
Think about this its family killing family...
Latino, black, asain, it dont matter or does it... and thats where we come in talk to them when there young teach them what is GOOD. What is right. What is honorable. And thats all of our responsibilty. I am an ex gang member from The Avenues and I tell my Homies That Jesus Loves all gang members.

— JESUS sAves Sept. 16, 2013 at 3:42 p.m.

Danny "Kelever" Leon was a criminal who hurt and terrorized so many innocent people. Thank God he is off the streets.

I am sure that the man he killed immediately prior to his death was also a gang member and this world is probably a better place without him in it too. However, the fact that he was shot while holding his grand daughter's hand is horrifying. How sad that at 36 he already had a 2 year old granddaughter anyway?

I have been reading about Mr. Leon's family lately and I truly believe the person who should carry the majority of the blame is Maria " Chata" Leon. She is a horrible person and quite possibly the worst mother ever to have children. Maria never even gave any of her kids a fighting chance at being successful in life.

Mr. Leon is responsible for his own actions; however, had his monther not had 13 kids, sold drugs day and night out of their home, had guns in the home, etc., then perhaps Mr. Leon could have been an entirely different person. We are the products of our environment.

To be honest, I feel some sympathy for every single person involved in this matter, except for his mother, Maria.

— San Diego Oct. 25, 2012 at 1:14 p.m.

— ro .... the vast majority of gang related homicides in this blog are latino and black related. That is a fact that is so grounded in truth, it is beyond debate. Go look at the supplied statistics for yourself.

Long time readers here know that when an asian or white criminal gets listed, I use the same verbiage and comments as I use for the others.

The fact that whites and asians are greatly under represented here is not a statistical quirk, but a symptom of a huge gulf in economic, social and educational differences between asian/white and latino/black ethnic groups.

I have long wished the Times would also include other counties in the report, so we have broader geographic coverage. But its their blog and their resources. And their decision.

— syscom3 Sept. 7, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.

— Me .... yes I will judge him, and harshly it will be. Firing an AK47 in public, trying to murder people is not the hallmark of anyone who is benevolent or has the concerns of the community in his heart.

Save the "only god can judge" comments for Sunday school at the tiny failed church you go to. It means nothing to the people who have to put up with the barbarity that he, his gang and their enablers inflict upon.

We don't need to know much about him to know his heart was filled to the brim with nothing but pure hate and terror. Look at the crimes he was convicted for. And it isn't a stretch of the imagination to know he committed other despicable deeds.

By the way, should the people who have suffered under the criminal acts he and his family committed, smile about how good he was?

— syscom3 Sept. 6, 2012 at 4:49 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Daniel Leon, 22

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