Jose Overly Celeridad, 42

Jose Celeridad, a 42-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Jan. 1, in the 500 block of West Olive Street in Inglewood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Celeridad had emerged from his vehicle about 11:17 a.m. when another vehicle -- described as a dark-colored Ford pickup truck with two men inside -- stopped nearby, according to Inglewood police.

The driver of the pickup got out, fired a handgun multiple times at Celeridad, then got back into the truck and drove away, police said.

Celeridad was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The shooting is believed to be gang-related.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Inglewood Police Department at (310) 412-5246.

A friend of the victim's who contacted Homicide Report said Celeridad had turned his life around, staying drug free and out of trouble for well over a year.

"After his last release from jail something changed in Jose for the better, maybe he just had enough of giving up his freedom, we will never know now that he has been taken away from us. Whatever the reason may have been, Jose made a complete change in his life for the better," wrote Julie Ridge in an e-mail.

Ridge said her friend, known as Jesse to most, had found employment, bought a car and got his own place.

"He moved away from all the temptations, and was finally on the right path in life," Ridge said.

She said she contacted The Times because she felt "never are the good things mentioned, just because a person at one time was involved in gang activity does not mean they never accomplished anything in life. Many people in our society judge people by who they use to be instead who they have become."

-- Christopher Goffard and Megan Garvey