Meldrick Melgoza, 16

Meldrick Melgoza, a 16-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Sunday, Feb. 26, in the 500 block of Bay View Avenue in Wilmington, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Melgoza and Carolina Ramirez, a 16-year-old Latina, were shot about 7 p.m. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

It wasn't known if their killings were gang-related, said Officer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Violent crime reports have jumped significantly recently in the Wilmington area, according to The Times’ crime profile of the area. There have been 53 homicides since 2007 within two miles of where the two teens were shot, according to The Times’ Homicide Report.

Anyone with details about the killing or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact the LAPD at (877) 527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II