Pablo Meza, 24

Jan. 20, 2015

Pablo Meza, a 24-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by police officers Saturday, Jan. 17, at the intersection of Jesse and Mateo streets in Downtown Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s reports.

Los Angeles Police officers were called to the area around 5 p.m. after receiving reports about a “man firing a gun in the air,” in the area, according to a LAPD news release.

When the officers arrived, they reportedly spotted Meza in the area armed with a gun, according to the release. Meza allegedly pointed his gun at the officers, and two officers fired at him, investigators said.

Meza was shot multiple times, according to coroner's records. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County firefighters.

The officers who fired were identified as Officer II Alberto Funes and Officer III Michael Pettinato, a training officer.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. People who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

— Jeanette Marantos

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Five reader comments

We expect officers of the LAW to do their job; to serve and protect not to kill on site. It is an oath that they swore to uphold, they took on the responsibility to PROTECT the people they serve, not take their lives because they're feeling a bit nervous. What if it was your relative, your little brother, your uncle, or your best friend @grimreaper? Shake your head all you'd like, until some humanity is knocked into that skull of yours, because I'm sure you'd be quick to change the tune of your song then...

Not everyone had the privilege to see him grow into the kind-hearted man that he was, which was not shown in any report. But people feel that they have the right to judge him based on the one mistake he made. He did NOT harm anyone, he did NOT shoot at police when they arrived on site, he was NOT violent. He may have panicked when he saw the many armed police officers closing in and he may not have known what to do, but that SHOULD NOT have cost him his life!

TO any and all who would like to pass judgment based on what little information you know, stop and think: do you always know where your life will take you? can you say with certainty that you have never sinned or made a mistake that you would like to take back? THINK!

— MMe April 17, 2015 at 11:29 p.m.

My brother was brutally shot, murdered in cold blood after surrendering. The lady who took the well known picture of my brother with his hands extended in the air, surrendering said it was no more than three seconds after taking this picture, he was shot. He was shot through the heart left to die. 1hour and half later he was picked up. No ambulance, no help, left to die in the streets like an animal. He arms are clearly extended, his fingers clearly off the trigger. I will continue to post pictures near the area he was killed in hopes someone might give us answers. Please help us, I am his older sister, I am 32 years old I shouldn't have to bury my 24 year old brother. The picture speaks for itself. He is survived by 11 brothers and sisters, all asking why, how? He had bruises on his face, was he assaulted? By who, why not try to disarm, disable, why kill.

— Reina Meza Jan. 21, 2015 at 11:48 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Pablo Meza, 24

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Five reader comments