Pedro Mendoza, 22

Pedro Mendoza, a 22-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, April 18, at 117th Street and Berendo Avenue in Athens, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff officials.

Mendoza was attending a family party when he decided to walk out to the street with another male, said Det. Frank Salerno, who is handling the investigation. When the two reached the street, they were met by either one of two male Latinos, and got into a dispute, Salerno said, and Mendoza was shot. No one else was hurt.

Authorities received a report of a gunshot victim at the location about 12:30 a.m. Paramedics took Mendoza to Harbor-ULCA Medical Center, where he died at 1:14 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Investigators believe Mendoza may have known the person who shot him. Salerno said neither Mendoza nor his friend were gang members.

Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding Mendoza's death is asked to call the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-- Sarah Ardalani