Felipe Salcido, 32

April 13, 2013

Felipe Salcido, a 32-year-old white male, was found dead in a car about 1:20 a.m. Saturday, April 13 in the 14500 block of Valerio Street in Van Nuys, according to LAPD officials.

Salcido was sitting in the driveway of his parents' house when an unknown gunman approached and shot him, said LAPD Det. Rob Bub, the homicide coordinator for the Van Nuys Division.

According to coroner’s records, Salcido was pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m, after his brother found him in his car. Neighbors heard a gunshot about 10:30 p.m., but no one called to report it, Bub said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Van Nuys homicide detectives at (818) 374-0040 during business hours or (877) LAPD247 after hours.

-Nicole Santa Cruz

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Five reader comments

Junior, as July 22 nears, I think about the unimaginable sadness I still feel, losing you a D within 3 months. How many times over the years did I beg you to leave the neighborhood, reminding you often,that as long as I had a home, so did you. I offered you the cottage here, at the place we had just moved to, out in the country. D said he would buy you a straw hat, and the 2 of you would get this place set up. He sat waiting for you, wanting a friend to play xbox with. There was a full fridge, where you could find everything fron chocolate milk to tequila. I made clear that your friends would alway be welcome in our home, as long as they didn't bring the fight thru my gate.

We talked, me and you, whenever we could, and sometimes for hours at a time. You told me the story about moving out of the Santa Clarita apt. You were so heartbroken, on so many levels. You gave B and the kids that safe place, as a way for you 2 to find family, love, & happiness on new ground. You gave. You never took. And when you were forced to leave, you took your clothes and your iron, but wept as you told me that you had to leave the little rose bush.

Before you went to do that last stretch of time, you explained your reasons for doing it, who and what you were protecting, and as always, it was not you. You had put into motion your future, Wed & Saturdays, learning a trade, even though you knew you would face huge uphill battles when you finished. You told me, in a silly voice, "all my boys say they can't get good jobs, go to school, they are poor Mexican bandits (your words), whine whine". You told me, "I say back to them F*** You, who do you think I am, where have I been, what do i have. Nothing but desire to be someone my nephew can be proud of".

I love you junior. Not that kind of love, i am your moms age. We met in a comical way, negotiating my making 2 sets of rosary beads, one for mom, one for grandma. Our friendship was immediate. I told you many times you had the heart of a gentleman, an artist, and you called me an authentic OG mama, someone you could tell things to, things your boys would never understand.

I miss your smile, I miss our talks, and I forever regret that I didn't stuff you in my trunk, and make you come to the ranch. You are gone in body, but if you read these notes, you know you will live forever in our hearts.
☮ Ma M

— Melinda A Crawford June 24, 2020 at 6:48 p.m.

Felipe Salcido Jr
was a very good, close friend of mine, pretty much family.. He had the most brightest smile that just made you wanna smile even if you were having a bad day. He stuck by me through so much and he was the kind to put someone else's needs before his own... I can't believe he's gone and in a couple of months it will be a year and I still wait to hear him call me or run into him and him tell me "Don't worry T I'll always be alright" I miss him dearly, I've kept his picture on my phone since he died and he will never be taken off.. The person who did this will never understand or even comprehend what he took from not just my life but his families... I love and miss you my Boy always, every day I wake up thinking of you and every night I go to sleep thinking of you my heart hurts and my life will no longer ever be complete..

— Teresa Contreras Jan. 22, 2014 at 9:27 a.m.