Kurt Henry Deutsch Jr., 30

Aug. 2, 2010, 11:01 a.m.

Kurt Deutsch Jr., a 30-year-old white man, was fatally shot Wednesday, July 28, in a parking lot near the 1500 block of Garfield Avenue in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

People heard gunshots behind a strip mall about 8 p.m. and found Deutsh with gunshot wounds, said L.A. County Sheriff 's homicide Det.David Gunner, who is handling the investigation.

Authorities were called and Deutsch was pronounced dead at the scene. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the head and torso, according to coroner's records.

Gunner said it’s unknown if the incident was drug or gang related. Investigators do not have a description of the suspected shooter.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Det. Gunner at (323) 890-5500.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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30 reader comments

its been a whole year since he's been gone doesnt feel like it. Feels like just yesterday that I talked to him on the phone and seen him for the last time a week before he was bruitally murdered. Now our daughter has to live without him for the rest of her life hanging on to pictures and memories of her dad that she hardly remembers anymore. We will always grieve for him everytime we hear a song he liked or a car he adored, or his favorite food. Not too many people know those personal things about him other than the people who loved him the most. But i think we have come a long way in regards to grieving. God bless him and I really hope he found peace before the lord took him and that he remembered all of us before he passed. We loved him despite the mishaps he ran into in his life, just wish he wouldve made more responsible choices, he wouldve been very accomplished in his life now. Its been hard.Every time I look at my daughter i see him cuz she looks identicle to him. He was a hard worker when he wanted to be, his school proved it, he used to come home so excited about making student of the quarter like 8 times. He was very optimistic at times and i believe he wanted to change but couldnt cuz of his disease with drugs. He will be remembered through the people who loved and knew his best, me and his daughter. RIP we remembered him through pictures today and planted a flower in our yard to remember him and honor his life.

— kurt's baby mom July 28, 2011 at 6:33 p.m.

Dear Truthbetold,

Really? They will use and abuse and Kurt a strait white guy in the ghetto what? I am white...raised in Laguna Beach. Got into some problems with a boyfriend and ended up spending about two years strung out. First of all he was not a straight white guy he had his problems...he was not some innocent who did not know what he was doing! He knew that hanging out with thugs and getting a quick high was the best thing that happened to him. I know I was there for two years. I hung out in the low life and did things that I know when I meet my maker I'm going to have to pay for...never killed, or robbed or stole but did do other things that I should not have done. But do you really think that this man was so dumb that he didn't know what he was doing? He knew and liked it and didn't want to get out of it. There are way too many ways to get out even for the most hard nosed drug user in the moments when one is not high each of us has that moment when we know we are just tired of doing this stuff, tired of feeling this way and just want out. Kurt knew the way out, he just wasn't ready for it. I don't think he deserved to die for it but he knew what he was doing and what it might cost him and he was more ok with it then you want to beleive. Sorry

— Danni Sept. 3, 2010 at 8:29 p.m.

I've been reading these comments and wish everyone knew the real story . Kurt was not a criminal . Not a Thug , not a drug dealer he was a honest hard working family guy. Drugs are addicting and cand change a person. His drug became first priority. He Came to east los chasing a high . Started hanging with people who really used ,always high at first its all good but some only look out for them self . They will use and abuse and Kurt a straight white boy in the ghetto with gangsters and thugs . Knows nothing about how scanless people really are and they used him , stoled , and abused him. But he held his own, always fighting back . But He really didn't know how things are and can get . he tried to fit in. He was a good man , with a big heart and left his mark on our hearts and for that he will remain in our hearts and our thoughts. For his journey here he didn't just make enemys he made some friends and that's why lots of us are still in shock of his tragic death . And he will be missed

— truthbehold Sept. 3, 2010 at 11:59 a.m.

I'm sorry if I gsve anyone the wrong idea about kurt. I am angry that I didn't get to say everything I wanted to say to him and that he was taken away in such a violent manner that I cannot even imagine. But I will say that we did have our share of good times together and Me snd his daughter will miss him soo much. I know he loved his daughter more than anything and it was just hard for him to stop the life he was tangled in. I dont know how many times I tried to make him get help and that was the whole reason for us moving down to Ontario so he could clean up and live a great life with me and his daughter. But he chose something else and nothing could change his mind. Its almost like it's not real some moments and that he is gonna call or text me and I have to come to terms with his death. It is going to take awhile for me, I know. I did have unconditional love for him and I wish everything would have turned out to have a happy ending but unfortunatly careless selfish animals that can shoot someone like that have to take away a person that ment so much to everyone deserves whatever god has planned for them.

— Kurts Babys Momma Aug. 23, 2010 at 11:21 a.m.

I have been reading the Homicide Report for a few months now, trying to learn more about the "gang" culture. My nephew started running around with his "homies" when he was a teen. He is now in prison, and I always wondered what I could have done to help him avoid that situation. That led me in a roundabout way to the Homicide Report.
I have read alot of comments from Syscom3 and I have never read a racist comment from him. He has called on his accusers to quote his racist remarks and they have never been able to respond.
You don't have to be a genious to see that a huge percentage of murders in LA are minority vs. minority. It is quite alarming to me. I wonder why this problem isn't a huge concern for more poeple in the LA area, including minorities, especially minorities!

— Out Of Idaho Aug. 5, 2010 at 9:27 p.m.