A story for every victim

Miguel Machuca, 15

Miguel Machuca, a 15-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Saturday, Aug. 28, near Mission Road and Selig Place in Lincoln Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Police responded to a call of shots fired about 7:30 p.m. and found Miguel lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the torso, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Hollenbeck homicide detective Ron Chavarria, who is handling the case, said two men approached Miguel, the three got into an altercation and he was shot.

During the shooting, an 11-year-old girl was hit in the back by a stray bullet.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responding to the scene took Miguel and the girl to County-USC Hospital.

Miguel died a short time after arrival, Chavarria said, while the 11-year-old was treated for her injuries. She is in the hospital in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery, he said.

Chavarria said Miguel was a documented gang member and that the killing was a gang-related incident, not a robbery as news outlets had reported.

The assailants were described as male Latinos.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Ron Chavarria at (323) 342-8957 or Joe Rios at (323) 342-8958. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

-- Sarah Ardalani

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