Luis Varela Jr., 29

May 18, 2011, 11:31 a.m.

Luis Varela Jr., a 29-year-old Latino, died Monday, May 16, two days after he was shot by police in the 600 block of South Grand Avenue in Glendora, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

A Glendora police officer attempted to detain Varela on May 14 about 11 p.m., according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release. The officer believed Varela may have been involved in an armed robbery, which occurred earlier in the day at a Kohl's department store.

Authorities said that when police approached Varela, he pulled out a handgun and ran into a Ralph's grocery store. When the officer went after Varela, he allegedly fired his gun at the officer, officials said.

At that point, the officer fired his weapon at Varela, striking him in the head, according to coroner's records.

Paramedics called to the scene took Varela to a hospital where he remained until his death May 16 at 10:46 a.m.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times

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23 reader comments

I agree, we shouldn't judge this person. I am just going to assume that when he was in Kohl's, he mistakenly took out his gun instead of his credit card. An easy mistake to make. Then I will just assume that the store was a little dark and he thought he was at an arcade rather than shooting at a cop. Another easy mistake to make. Yeah, now that I think about it like that, he was probably innocent. I wish Jag had a police scanner so that when these things happen, he can just go in there and arrest the suspect. God knows the police are too chicken to do it. They'd rather just shoot back. Jag should get a cape though. It would be more appropriate and would end up in better press coverage. I think the "Superman" costume is up for grabs. The original guy is dead as is Christopher Reeves. I think that suit is just waiting for the right guy to step up and put it on.

— Richie March 10, 2013 at 11:39 a.m.

I'll never forget this day because lives changed forever. I found myself gathering whatever strength I had left and trying to find the right words to tell my baby girl her daddy was dead. I was with this man for 12 years. We were high school sweet hearts. Soul mates. Please don't judge, unless you know all facts. I still don't understand and I'll never accept this horrendous final ending of a beautiful life, whom we still mourn for till this day. Nor will I ever believe he acted alone in these crimes. One thing I know for sure is that he fell into the wrong hands, was lied too and used until the very end. ALL who took part in this need to be prosecuted and brought fourth so that justice may be served. My heart, thoughts and prayers remain
with the workers, customers and everyone else that
witnessed those horrible events. I can't even imagine how
you felt at the time, but I am glad no one else was hurt.
Left behind is a family deeply saddened and a 9 year old
daughter who will grow up without her daddy. Her world
shattered forever. One day she will be old enough to know
the truth. I fear this day so Im kindly asking all future
people who post to choose words kindly please. For all
others who claim to have known him so well but only knew him one month, stop commenting as well for all obvious reasons. God bless

— Vanessa Dec. 2, 2011 at 2:48 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Luis Varela Jr., 29

Share a memory or thought about Luis Varela Jr.

23 reader comments