George Louis Martinez Jr., 19

Oct. 19, 2015

George Louis Martinez Jr., a 19-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Oct. 10, in the 6000 block of Kester Avenue in Van Nuys, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Los Angeles Police Department officers were called about 10:50 p.m. to investigate a shooting in front of the Uncle Rehearsal Studios, according to a department news release.

The officers found Martinez on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound in his torso, according to coroner's records. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:02 p.m.

Witnesses reported that Martinez was standing on the sidewalk in front of the business with some other people when an unidentified Latino walked up to him and began shooting.

The man ran from the scene before officers arrived, according to the news release.

The motive for the shooting is unknown, investigators said. Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-0040. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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84 reader comments

That right what Mari said he was not a gang member to who ever think he was he wasn't he was a photographer for the Ak47boyz and like she said she doesn't have to explain nothing about her son and that also right what she said we all have nothing behind his murder and that's also right Jrox also gave up his life to save others we all miss u brother Jr aka Jrox I agree with yours Mari head up I know you still sad I understand I feel you I still think of him and I can't stop thinking of him and I always cry at night because I always think of him he is always in my prayers I love Jr he was like a brother to me that's why I call him my brother LongLiveJrox we all miss you brother we all wish u were here you will never be forgotten brother Rest In Peace Jr

— Ak47danny_haro Sept. 7, 2017 at 8:28 a.m.

OG Flaco,
So you had to drive your younger brother to the ghetto! Really since when is this kind of mentality strictly a ghetto thing? Did he say he was going to stop listening to "that" kind of music along with throwing out the shirt. I don't listen to rap and I don't follow gang style rap, but what I found extremely offensive is your thoughts that this only happens I the ghetto. You had to drive him down to the ghetto which means he must not live in the ghetto but yet he still managed to "find" that bad influence. You need to take your head out of your ass if you think that this bad stuff only happens in the ghetto or to those on the wrong side of the track. Oh by the way how far did you have to drive in order to get your brother to the ghetto? Since the lines between ghetto area's and nice area's are so blurred. An anyone who would refer to himself as an OG can't live that far away from the same ghetto that gave you your name.

— Candice Feb. 27, 2017 at 12:33 p.m.

RestnParadise*MyFriend * We All Need to Stop &Remember a Innocent Life Was Taken Here & a verry Beautiful Family is Grieving not to mention all of us fans have lost a very talented young man TO a person who pasted judgement and decided to play the role of god and decided to end someone's life and ruin his dreams !!!4 one this person must of been a serious hatter !!! I feel for the family ! I myself have lost someone verry verry dear to me last year to a piece of shiit that thought he was god and decided to past judgement on someone he didn't even know and took his life in my own home infront of my grandsons ..so I lost my home and my grandsons were removed from home and my family was destroyed and separated I was left on the streets living motel to motel unable to show stability for my grandkids! So let's stop blaming the lifestyle the music ..Blame others ignorant person who did this and let's concentrate on getting the justice !SO he can finally R.I.P.*God Only Can Judge Us* My upper most respect and deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends and fans ..xoxo

— JENNIFER DIAZ 'SUNSHINE' Sept. 28, 2016 at 10:38 a.m.

@tina

I don't understand why this means so much to u why go out of ur way to make urself "right" like ok maybe some of his music wasn't about struggles or about the community but even tho I did not know gorge he was doing what he loved so why judge him and if he wants to rap about violence let him it's not like he's telling kids to go out and harm other people he was just a kid with a dream that was cut short all I'm saying is that's not all they stand for most of the people on ak47 boyz have helped young kids growing up in a broken home get through it, I am one of those kids I'm 17 I come from a broken home and his music although does promote violence has helped me have a different out look on life I'm about to graduate high school first person in my family to ever do that and I've been lostening to their music ever since it started it has inspired me more then anything else because even though I come from a broken home doesn't mean I can't break the cycle of my family I can change that path and move forward and for who ever was close or had any part in jrs life I am truly sorry for ur loss

— Daniel Ramirez Oct. 24, 2015 at 9:47 p.m.

Victor,
You know at first I was going to let your post go but, after googling AK47 boys, you lied! Have you taken a good look at what it is that these people were promoting? It was just their name that they were trying to promote, it was the same thing that every gang banger sitting on the corner is promoting...guns and violence. How dare you sit there and pretend that these people were doing good in the community when they are promoting that same junk that is killing kids everyday. Drugs, alcohol, and guns...I don't really care what you say or think that he was doing was good, because the bottom line he was all about promoting the violence. So you may sit there and continue to write what good out standing members of society he was but his music, and promotional items speak for themselves.

— Tina Oct. 24, 2015 at 2:35 p.m.

@Tina

They are a music group not a Church organization. The name might not "promote" peace as you say but their actions do. It's hard enough to make it in the music industry. Now, imagine being called "ChurchBoyz" or "Gospel Boyz"? They would have never been successful in their music career. I'm pretty sure when they chose the name they were looking for publicity and fame to make it in the MUSIC INDUSTRY but as they started becoming successful they decided to help out those in need. I don't see anything wrong with that. Were they supposed to change their name because they decided to go a different route in life and help their people? They didn't wake up on day and say "hey let's go give away turkeys and help the people but let's call ourselves AK47boyz." It's all part of their growing success that they decided to do what they're doing now. They're going against the grain and actually trying to do something positive unlike all these other artist promoting drugs and violence in their music. These guys talk about their struggles and how they came to where they are now in life and encourage the youth to stay in school and be somebody!

— AK47Boyz Fan Oct. 22, 2015 at 3:25 p.m.