Otto Raul Paiz, 56

June 7, 2010, 9:32 a.m.

Otto Paiz, a 56-year-old Latino, was found shot to death Sunday, June 6, in the 2100 block of 2nd Avenue in Arlington Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Wilshire Area patrol officers responded to a call at a residence about 5:35 a.m. after Paiz was discovered unresponsive in his car by a young woman, according to an LAPD news release.

When officers arrived, they found Paiz in the car with a gunshot wound, police said. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were summoned and pronounced Paiz dead at 5:44 a.m., according to coroner's records.

Detectives said Paiz was shot while seated in the driver’s seat of his car. The motive for the killing remains unknown.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Wilshire Area homicide detectives at (213) 473-0446. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

-- Sarah Ardalani

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30 reader comments

BLACK MANS COMMENT WAS RELATIVELY ACCURATE.........A conflict starts between two people or two gangs of different race. A tit for tat conflict between these gangs starts. The second an innocent person is killed the conflict takes a dangerous turn from a gang conflict to a racial conflict. I'm assuming Black Man is referring to the murder of Ronald Barron who's considered (by blacks) innocent. This could have been the cause of a dangerous transition to a racial conflict. Just look at the gang war in the Oakwood section of Venice in '94 that killed 17 and injured over 50 in 10 months. This is a prime example of this kind of escalation. BLACK MANS COMMENTS SHED LIGHT ON THE SICK MENTALITY OF HOW CONFLICTS ARE PERCEIVED BY MANY IN THESE LA NEIGHBORHOODS.

— Paul June 15, 2010 at 2:10 p.m.

mitch richmond, wake up. Gang members ROUTINELY target older, non-banging, people all the time. Both Mexican and Blacks. Remember the 49th Street massacre? Black dudes shot and KILLED 3 people - ALL immigrants. Including a 10 yr old boy...

Of course LA County and the media played it down and said they were "mistaken" identity. Of course a 12 yr old and 10 yr old riding bikes on the street are mistaken for low-life thugs. Of course. ESPECIALLY since they were border hoppers and we all know illegals look and dress like rival gang members *sarcasam*

So dont give us that bull that gang members dont target innocent, older, or younger. This area is known for black gangs targeting innocent Lations. Just like lame low life F13 and AVES gangs are known for targeting any and all blacks. COWARDS...

— Citizen X June 11, 2010 at 12:24 p.m.

WOW! The death of my uncle has sparked all this? He was a kind loving man, loved all races. Was a happy man full of life! Hard working, great work ethic, "luchador". He would say if you want to survive you have to wake up and work! No excuses, he never missed a day of work no matter how ill he would get up and be glad God gave him life that day.

He brought in the New Year dancing to Jankunu, which is a Belizean dance which originated in West Africa. He loved the different diversity in cultures and embraced them all. That is why he lived in LA, because of the richness in people, not money but LOVE!

If you say this is retaliation well that was wrong. If you know something come forward. I will not stop until justice is served!

— Lily June 11, 2010 at 10:01 a.m.

I had posted a blurb a few days ago speculating that blacks did this killing and blackman just confirmed it. This area is known for cowardly black gangs picking on innocent Latino SENIOR citizens and then filling forums and threads boasting about killing Mexicans.

Of course the HR did not post my blurb but whatever. Tell you what blackman, I hope and pray the next killing is not your grandma or grandpa or any other older adults that have nothing to due with this. You and whoever did this are chicken poop for picking and murdering this innocent old man. Especially based on his race. Cowards, that all your kind is. STONE COLD COWARDS! And you wonder why people in society have a lack of respect and treat your kind the way they do. COWARD...

— Citizen X June 10, 2010 at 3:24 p.m.