Paul Joseph Vela, 28

Jan. 24, 2011, 9:35 a.m.

Paul Vela, a 28-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Jan. 23, in the 4000 block of Broadway in Huntington Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Authorities received a call concerning a fight at about 1:41 a.m., said Huntington Park Police Sgt. Neil Castelli.

When officers arrived, they found Vela in the street with several gunshot wounds and blunt head trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said they did not have a motive for the killing. They do not believe that the shooting is gang-related.

Castelli described the assailants as two Latinos wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information about the death of Paul Vela is asked to contact detectives at (323) 826-6686. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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11 reader comments

Everytime I think of you Psul, I will remember your smile!!!!!

“Grief turns into healing when you relinquish the pain and helplessness you feel, because there is nothing you can do to bring the deceased person back, and

shift your thoughts to what you can do to honor that person’s memory. The best remembrance of a loved one is to carry on what that person stood for.

What unique qualities did that person possess? What were his or her interests or wishes? To insure that the meaning of that person’s life continues after

death, you can’t dwell on your feelings of loss indefinitely. If you allow them to consume you, your focus becomes fixed on you – your rage, your sorrow, your

loneliness – rather than the person who is gone. Shift your focus to doing justice to that person’s memory, and your pain will begin to diminish.”

--Maxine Schnall from: What Doesn't Kill You Makes you Stronger: Turning Bad Breaks into Blessings

— Gabby V Jan. 26, 2011 at 12:47 p.m.