The Homicide Report

A story for every victim

The Homicide Report

Johnathan Cuevas, 20

Oct. 14, 2010, 1:52 p.m.

Johnathan Cuevas, a 20-year-old Latino, was killed by a sheriff's deputy Sunday, Oct. 10, near Long Beach Boulevard and Josephine Street in Lynwood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

The incident occurred about 12:30 a.m. when a lone deputy approached three men. One of the men, later identified by the coroner's office as Johnathan Cuevas, allegedly reached into his waistband as he started to run. Seeing this, the deputy fired several times, striking Cuevas, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Luis Castro.

Cuevas was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A handgun was recovered at the scene, Castro said.

-- Carla Rivera

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69 reader comments

The video isn't clear enough, from what I can see is the police officer rolls up on them as the officer exits his patrol car the suspect takes off running while reaching for his waistband, the officer reacts and shoots, the suspect falls and as the officer comes towards the suspect the suspect is still reaching for his gun that is why the officer shoots the suspect while he's on the ground. I can only see two shots fired the flashing light everyone see's is the flash light mounted on his sidearm which is a common device used. Common sense is to stop when a LEO rolls up on you and follow every command, the suspect had no common sense, it would have been better to just go to jail for carrying a concealed weapon instead of ending up 6 feet under, but then again gang members are not too smart.

— Uncle Sam July 15, 2013 at 5:58 a.m.

A lot of people bringing up ridiculous claims and not listening to the facts. Just because a gun was recovered at the scene doesn't mean he was trying to use it. It's obvious from the footage that he was sprinting away and making zero efforts of offense against anyone. The police almost certainly just found the weapon after he was dead to try and justify the lawless killing. He ran because a flashlight was pointed at him, and it likely was the flashlight on the police gun, therefore a gun was pointed at him. Either that or he ran because he was afraid he would get in police trouble. Worst case scenario the man committed a crime. However, this still leaves the police to apprehend him for trial, not just slay an innocent civilian in cold blood. Remember, he has to be considered innocent because he was had any trial. The police cannot dole out punishments at their own discretion.

— Logic June 8, 2013 at 12:31 a.m.

It doesn't look good for the cop. Alicia- I'm from the area. I know some guys are rough and some just for show. Regardless I'm really sorry for your loss. It just upsets me how these boys just don't know how to simply show their hands. Stay put and show your hands right away. Cops are definitely jumpy when it comes to these things.
Some of the people writing these comments don't understand the dynamics of these environments. The walks like a duck idea doesn't always apply here. Some of these guys simply protect them selves from other aggressive individuals. I am a professional and grew up in all these areas- South Gate, HP, Bell, Cudahy, and know folks in Lynwood. Some of the guys I hung out with carried guns, did drugs, alcoholics, just the bad stuff. The sad thing is they were protecting themselves from the other people that wanted to harm them. A vicious circle.
I'm not justifying their actions, or accepting the behavior its simply where these people live. Just packing your bags and getting out of dodge is not always so easy.

I'm not saying anything on the case cause I don't have the facts. I don't agree with the shooting at all. This life is temporary and God is All Forgiving- I'm sure you will see your son again. Just ask and you shall receive. May God give you piece mija. God bless you and your family. Pray the truth be found and justice be served. Ill say a prayer for your grandson and son tonight.

— From the area June 1, 2013 at 5:43 p.m.

Are we watching the same video here?? I'm reading stuff like 'he probably got what he deserved.' He was jaywalking…it would be different if he fit the description of someone who just killed and robbed someone. The cop shot this guy simply for running from him. There is no time for the cop to tell if this guy had a gun. The guy was on the floor, not moving, (probably already dead) when the cop walked up to the body and shot him execution-style from three feet away!! If you feel someone is a threat, you shoot from behind your police car, not as you are chasing the guy. And if he's no longer a threat, why shoot him again? The cop's initial story was that victim had a silver-plated gun, but the one they produced for trial was black with a wooden handle. Another lie. And this cop is back patrolling the streets?!!
My son, now 22, thought he would be funny in front of his friends back when he was 12 years old. He saw a cop car driving slowly through the apartments and he decides to take off running trying to make his friends laugh. The cop stopped the car, chased him, threw him down to the ground not knowing his motives. The cop brought him home to me sobbing, and told me what stupid prank he tried. Both my son and the cop seemed shaken. I couldn't be mad for the cop doing his job. My son learned his lesson from his experience. Had it been this POS cop, they would have brought him to me in a casket just for trying be funny.

If the DA's and the cop's stories are true, why not send the grainy video to NASA where they can improve the quality of the video and zoom in on the footage as they do with criminal cases? Why, cause that will prove this cop is a murderer and back on the streets. Who knows? Maybe some prankster 12 yr old boy may not be as lucky as my son was…maybe this could be your kid running simply because he got scared. After seeing this video, I'd grant the family much more than what they are suing for.

So remember, if you have murderous tendencies and want to get away with it, just join the LAPD…they will have your back and support you no matter how stupid it makes them look.

— Ellen May 24, 2013 at 11:25 p.m.

The DA's report is full of lies and speculations that cannot be substantiated by an evidence except that of Officer Jove who has the motive to fabricate testimony that will exonerate him from a murder charge.

For instance, the DAs report alleges that Officer Jove observed Cuevas pull a gun from his waistband . There are no other witnesses to this. The report then details how Cuevas began running, and we see that in the video. No gun is visible in his hand while he is running. The DA's report then says that after the officer had shot Cuevas, who then fell to the ground, that the gun was back in the waistband. How was this accomplished? The video does not show any actions by Cuevas indicative of him putting anything into his waistband. This unsubstantiated speculation begs the question of why would Cuevas pull a gun on the deputy then run away? If he was pulling the gun in order to ambush Jove, as Jove claims he feared, then why would he not have carried this ambush out? If he was pulling the gun out in order to dump it, then why would he not have flung it behind him off the sidewalk - why take off running with an object he feared being apprehended with? And why would he put the gun back into his waistband? None of these speculations make any sense or are reasonable.

Furthermore, the video shows that there is no time for all of the dialogue and purported actions to transpire as they are described in the DA's report.

— Thorin Feb. 24, 2013 at 10:51 a.m.

maybe instead of pretending to be run and gun cowboys the police department should initiate law of land warfare such as was instilled in me as a marine, law of land warfare dictates "2. Purposes of the Law of War
The conduct of armed hostilities on land is regulated by the law of land warfare which is
both written and unwritten. It is inspired by the desire to diminish the evils of war by:
a. Protecting both combatants and noncombatants from unnecessary suffering;
b. Safeguarding certain fundamental human rights of persons who fall into the hands of
the enemy, particularly prisoners of war, the wounded and sick, and civilians; and
c. Facilitating the restoration of peace.
3. Basic Principles
a. Prohibitory Effect. The law of war places limits on the exercise of a belligerent's power
in the interests mentioned in paragraph 2 and requires that belligerents refrain from
employing any kind or degree of violence which is not actually necessary for military
purposes and that they conduct hostilities with regard for the principles of humanity and
chivalry." i see very little honor in shooting a fleeing man who has not opened fire upon my personage, this officer was extremely out of line and was voracious in his firing upon said civilian. AS ANYONE WHO TAKES THE OATH TO PROTECT AND SERVE KNOWS THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED, YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD AND BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY, AND YES I DARESAY, HUMANITY AS A WHOLE. INSTINCTIVE SELF PRESERVATION, WHILE AT TIMES INVOLUNTARY, DOES NOT PROMOTE A HEALTHY NOR EVEN MEASURED RESPONSE IF SAID INDIVIDUAL HAS NO DISCIPLINE. IF I HAD OPENED FIRE UPON LOOSELY CONJECTURED INSURGENTS WHO WERE FLEEING MY LOCALE WITHOUT CONSENT OF MY CHAIN OF COMMAND I WOULD BE COURT MARSHALED, I DO NOT EXPECT A LESSER PUNISHMENT FOR PEACE OFFICERS IN THAT SAME TOKEN.

— former marine Feb. 24, 2013 at 1:52 a.m.

LOOK U SHOULD ALL MIND UR OWN BUSSINESS MY FAMILY IS GOIN THREW ALOT IN TRYIN 2 COPE WIDD DIS TRAGIC DEATH THIS KILLEN NEEDS 2 STOP THE PIGS NEED 2 COME STRAIGHT UP WID HIS STUFF N THE CAmeras i hate seein the pain in my families eyes after wuht those pigs did dey took him from his son dat needs him my lil nephew crys for his daddy his b~dat wus on the 5 of this month n it wus really sad.he wusnt reachin for agon ok cops should of let it go he surrendered people u jst be talkin but if it wus one of ur family members u wouldnt like dis so shut it. TIA ALICIA U KNO THE FAMILIA IS HERE FOR U N FOR ALL HIS HOMIES WE GOTTA STAY STRONG N WE WONT REST TILL WE GET JUSTICE FOR MY CUSN R.I.P CUSN GONE BUT NEVA 2 BE FORGOTTEN ALWAYS IN THE FAMILIAS HEARTS STAY UP WID DEBO,LUCKY,FUNES N CYCLE..

— CARTOON June 14, 2011 at 12:53 p.m.

Mijo, there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of you....I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Day by day I think of you,
How can all this be true?
I can't believe you are really gone,
I still can't accept it,
Even after so long,
Just the thought of you makes me cry,
I never even got a chance to say goodbye
Every picture , every letter,
I don't know if it will get better,
I always smell your familiar scent,
It makes me think of all the moments we spent.
So many things I never got to say,
I never imagined you'd be so far away,
I'll never forget your soothing voice,
I would take your place if I had a choice,
But now I hate to let you rest,
Because without you my world is a mess,
I miss you with all my heart,
I wish we never had to part,
I know that you are always by my side,
So I guess this is my goodbye.......LOVE YOU MY ONE AND ONLY SON

— Alicia Nov. 26, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.

Yes everyone is quick to judge based on what you read in the newspaper or hear from the media. The facts will come out soon and it will show you that these "PIGS" are corrupt and cover up for each other....I have asked for the cameras that where at that intersection and til this day I have not got a response.. Why didnt the "PIGS" tell you how many times they shot him while he had his hands up, and where they shot him?They shot him 2 times on the back and turned him over and shot him several times in the chest.If my son was down with the two shots and he surrendered why did he turn him over and shot him the other times...my son was running away from him not towards him so wat threat was he to that "PIG"? They portray my son as a criminal monster but the truth is he was not....he was a very loving son, brother, father, uncle, and boyfriend. His son was his world. He did so much for people, he was always giving. It breaks my heart that my grandson will never have the opportunity to hug or kiss his father because a "PIG" took his fathers life...Also why did they take more than 8 hours to notify the family if he was 3 blocks from home and he had his ID on him and his phone..He called me 10-15 minutes before the shooting...Why couldnt the "PIGS" notify me that something happened to my son sooner...The "PIGS" have destroyed a family forever and shattered so many hearts.I thought the "PIGS" were taught not to use deadly force as the first option unless their lifes where in immediate danger...What happened to the tazer guns or rubber bullets or bean bags first? I just want all this unjustified shooting to STOP...I dont want another family to go through what my family is going through..WE NEED TO STOP POLICE BRUTALLITY NOW AND HAVE THEM BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!!!!!!

— Alicia Nov. 26, 2010 at 11:31 p.m.

Okay, there are lots of unanswered questions on both sides.

1. Cuevas shouldn't have run. To run means to a cop that you are guilty of something. Cops are quick to shoot...and they don't know how to aim for a leg or arm...

2. The cop approached several men and was alone? How did he get so close to them and surprise them. Dudes in the hood I know are quick to spot 5-0, and seem to have instinctive radar.

3. It is possible that the cop and Cuevas knew each other. I am not gonna go further than that, but you all know how this city really works, right?

4. Just because a gun was found, doesn't mean it was Cuevas's gun. Sometimes information is included in media stories that lead readers/viewers to assume that "suspects" had a weapon.

5. AGAIN, Why would a solo cop approach 3 dudes at 12:30 am. Most cops are more cautious than that...unless they know the dudes in questions...

6. Just how many bullet holes were in the kid's body? That is important to know.

7. Has anyone asked if the shooter and victim knew each other?

8. Is there video from the patrol car?

9. Do these questions matter?

As to #9,you all have to understand that these kind of events will continue until the underlying causes of economic inequality continue. To solve the problem, society needs to address what causes people to have to participate in gang/drug/other illegal activity. It hasn't always been like this...at least the sheer numbers of young men and women involved in gang related incidents.

This all sucks. I have friends who are cops, and friends who are criminals. I tend to give them both a lot of space, cuz I don't need the drama...

...But I can see both sides of this issue. Can you?

— John Nov. 12, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.

Look Johnathan was a true and a beloved friend to me. What The cops dint say was that he ran and he got shot in the back. My friend Flipped Over and screaming FOr help they shot him again. People Trust me the sheriffs in Lynwood are crucket and they them selfes break the law. It hurts to see my friend Past away For a cops stupidity. Im letting You know cops take advantage of there Powers . We need To stop them, and for the cop that did this he knew he wasnt in a any danger and he knows he did a unlawfull thing i just hope his concience eats him inside for what he did. He killed a father and johnathan left behind his son. For the Person that said he was a gangbanger dont talk if you dont know he wasnt no gangbanger trust me. R.I.P. Johnathan WE all Mis YOu Big Homie

— Fonzi Oct. 29, 2010 at 9:46 p.m.

assuming the article is stating all the facts,,

1. A person reaches into their waistband and attempts to run

and

2. A gun WAS found @ the scene

why would any excuse be given for that alone? That ALONE says something was not right because COMMEN SENSE tells a person especially whom supposively poses NO THREAT to comply to a officer. (especially if he/she is legally possesing a gun for their protection,, lets just assume that) Why attempt to flee,, why even make a gesture that would even allude you to be a possible threat? Come on now, the officer is also trying to protect his/her life as well and has NO IDEA what they are coming in contact with. And finally to find a gun @ the scene too? Come on now. But common sense just does not seem to be all that COMMON now a days because we want to make excuses all the time.

— CJ Oct. 19, 2010 at 10:44 a.m.

The gun was recovered at the scene....that doesnt mean he had it on him..So what happened to the other two guys he was with? And just because he had a gun doesnt mean he was out to kill someone...Its called PROTECTION! nowdays who doesnt carry a gun...no one wants to get caught slippin especially if they look like they bang or just simply being bald! Why did this cop shoot at him though...If it says he "allegedly reached into his waistband as he started to run" ...Run where? i really doubt this guy was running towards the cop reaching for his waistband...This guy was running away and this pig shot him...If he was running away then this guy had his back to the cop...so how can he fear for his life...Im tired of hearing of cops killing ppl...most are innocent so sad how easy it is to end someones life and hes not gonna pay for it just like the rest of these cops. R.I.P Johnathon Cuevas

— Donna Oct. 16, 2010 at 5:57 p.m.

"Allegedly reached into his waistband as he started to run” Once again an incompetent cop justifies killing a suspect because it appeared he reached into his waistband. There has to be accountability and the cop should be charged with murder and sent to jail. The outcome is the young suspect is gone forever and his love ones will be in pain, if not for their rest of their lives then for a very long time. The cop will walk away scott free and continue to patrol the street and maybe he will take another suspect’s life away. There are way too many incidents of cops pulling the trigger without thinking about it. If they can’t handle this type of situations they don’t belong in the force. I don’t support criminals, but I support human life.

— Jag Oct. 15, 2010 at 9:19 a.m.