Diego Rey Garcia, 20

Diego Rey Garcia, a 20-year-old Latino man, was shot in the torso while in a car at the intersection of Alameda Street and Firestone Boulevard in South Gate on Saturday, March 15, about 1:45 a.m. and died at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood about 30 minutes later.

A friend riding in the car with Garcia was wounded in the attack.

Garcia and his friend were driving away from a party and had stopped at a red light. Several young Latino men pulled up next to them and allegedly began challenging them with stares.

Before Garcia and his friend could get away, the driver of the other car got out, pulled out a gun and starting shooting, striking the two men.

Despite his wound, Garcia managed to hit the accelerator and drive the car around a corner, where he pulled over. Both victims were taken to the hospital by paramedics. The friend was in stable condition as of Monday.

A composite sketch of the alleged shooter is at right. He was described as 5-foot-9, thin, and in his early 20s. Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts is asked to call Sheriff's Det. Angus Ferguson at (323) 890-5500.

--Jill Leovy/LAT