Juan Barrajas, 41

Juan Barajas, a 41-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 17, in the 400 block of Witmer Street in Westlake, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Wes Buhrmester said Barajas was standing in front of apartments about 12:15 a.m. when a gold-colored car drove by and someone inside fired gunshots.

Barajas was shot in the torso, he said. He died shortly after being taken to a local hospital.

“This guy was not a gang member by any account,” Buhrmester said. “He was standing with another gentleman who may have either been a gang member or was mistaken for one.”

That other man is being interviewed, he said.

Barajas was a father of four, the oldest 18, Buhrmester said.

“Based upon the circumstances of the shooting and the area, the homicide is believed to be gang-related in that … gang members are suspects,” he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Det. J. Motto at (213) 484-3641 or Det. Linscomb at (213) 484-3642. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

-- Hector Becerra