Luis Delgado, 33

Luis Delgado, a 33-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Aug. 15, near Saticoy Street and Gaynor Avenue in Van Nuys, according to Los Angeles Police Department officials.

West Valley police officers responded to a 911 call of a shooting about 9:47 p.m., according to an LAPD news release. When authorities arrived, they found Delgado on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were called, and Delgado was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Investigators believe Delgado was driving his car in the area of Saticoy Street and Gaynor Avenue when he got into a verbal exchange with a man in another car. Officials said both men pulled out guns and began firing between the cars. During the exchange of gunfire, Delgado was hit. It is unknown if the other man suffered any injuries, authorities said.

Witnesses described the alleged shooter as a Latino, 20 to 25 years old, with a shaved head. He was last seen driving westbound on Saticoy Street in a red compact 4-door sedan.

The shooting appears to have been gang-related, authorities said.

[Note: This homicide did not appear on a coroner's report released Monday. It was added Aug. 26, 2010, after The Times learned about the homicide in a news release.]

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact West Valley Division Homicide Det. John Doerbecker at (818) 374-7713. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

-- Sarah Ardalani