Ervin Alfredo Panameno, 19

Sept. 14, 2010, 11:06 a.m.

Ervin Panameno, a 19-year-old Latino, died Saturday, Sept. 11, two days after he was shot in the 300 block of Rampart Boulevard in Westlake, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

[Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said Panameno was shot and killed Sept. 11.]

Police received a call of a "person down" on Sept. 9 about 7:30 a.m., said LAPD Rampart Homicide Det. Jeff Cortina.

When authorities arrived, they found Panameno lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he died several days later, according to coroner's records.

Investigators believed the shooting was gang-related.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case. Citing the ongoing investigation, Cortina was unable to provide a description of the shooter.

At the time of his death, Panameno was working at Homeboy Industries, the nonprofit gang-intervention program. He had been there for eight months, said Raul Diaz, a supervisor. Panameno oversaw teenagers ages 14 to 16 who worked part time for Homeboy, Diaz said. He also served as a runner, assisting with errands around the headquarters.

"He would help everyone in the office if they needed anything," Diaz said. "He was a very reliable guy, very fun to hang out with."

Diaz said he believed Panameno's prior gang ties were more peripheral than hard-core. He said Panameno, at the time he was shot, was walking to a bus stop to get to work. The area, he says, is known for gang activity.

Panameno had run the Los Angeles Marathon in March, Diaz said, and was training for the 1500 Steps Stairway Climb, a YMCA charity event scheduled for later this month. In the event, participants climb to the top of the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles.

Anyone with information about Panameno's shooting is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Det. Michael Arteaga at (213) 484-369 or Det. Chris Linscomb at (213) 484-3642. Those who would like to leave an anonymous tip should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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26 reader comments

although some of the comments are true, (Lincoln and panameno coming from similar backgrounds, and that homeboys is not always what it seems to be) that doesn't change the fact that when you live this lifestyle your past has a way with catching up with you. I saw Irvin grow and turn into a young man, he had a infectious smile and such a big heart. He always amazed me, the truth of the matter is; in order for this vicious cycle to stop, there needs to be intervention at a young age not start when they hit the halls or camps, but when they get into elementary school. My boys will always be my boys, and when Irvin died a piece of my heart went with him, he was a phenomenal spirit filled with so much love and hope. Irvin I think about you all the time, how I wish things would have turned out differently for you. You will always be with me.

— anonymous Oct. 21, 2013 at 10:39 p.m.

I, of course, was saddened to see this young man die so young, and with SOO much potential. And yes, his smile was very infectious and uplifting! I just want to point out to "562vert" how easy it is to pass judgment on a person without knowing all of the facts. I noticed that you also commented on Brandon Lincoln's death that occurred a few weeks earlier. Well, so that you know, both of these young men were living together in a detention setting at the same time, within this last year, and come from very similar circumstances. You were quick to make negative remarks about Brandon, but seem more sympathetic about this case. YOU have proven to be a victim of the "media." Both of these young men had BIG hearts and it just happened that the media didnt tell you anything POSITIVE about Brandon because of the nature of his crime, they want you to see him as a villain, when in actuality, he was a near reflection of Ervin, who just happened to be backed into a corner, not knowing where his next meal would come from, and made a bad decision, as "none" stated in that post. (Not to justify his crime.) People should just be a little more sensitive to our misguided YOUTH and rather than tear them down with words without knowing where they come from, maybe people should offer to come into these communities and offer them some alternatives to their current lifestyles, as Homeboy Industries has done for many years. If your not going to be a part of the solution, then dont bother complaining about the problem. May they both rest in peace and continue to bond on the other side. God rest their souls.

— BrokenHearted Oct. 12, 2010 at 12:35 a.m.

Kevin@Homboy Bakery-I am glad that you were a witness to the changes in Ervin-I know it will be a comfort to his family to know that he was a man on a mission to change his ways and on his way to becoming a productive part of society. Unfortunatly, BreedSter is also correct in his comment- "there are many gangster who want to change their ways,but if they gangbanged and did a lot of damage, it is difficult to impossible to walk away scot-free." Sometimes even though it is the right decision to change, people from the past can not let you change and they hold onto the things you did and they remember your face. They see you and decide to shoot or stab you and end your life based on your past. God Bless his family and all of you at Homboy Bakery-continue to move foward in your quest to leave the past behind-you all have a good chance at being successful-don't let this discourage you-keep moving in the right direction. Everyone is responsible for their own actions-good or bad and we all have to pay the cost for our misdeeds, but I feel it is wrong to pay with your life. STAY SAFE ALL YOUNG MEN OF COLOR-IT'S A WAR GOING ON OUT HERE AND NO ONE IS SAFE.

— TrumpTight Sept. 15, 2010 at 7:45 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Ervin Alfredo Panameno, 19

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26 reader comments