Raul Mendez, 36

Raul Mendez, a 36-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Nov. 12, in the 800 block of East 75th Street in Florence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers initially responded to a report of a shooting on McKinley Avenue and 75th Street about 10 p.m. The victim, a 37-year-old man, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his right arm, leg and pelvis, said LAPD Sgt. Rudy Alaniz at the 77th Street station. The gunshot victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition Sunday morning.

About two hours later, police found out that a second man, later identified as Raul Mendez, had also been shot and was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

LAPD Criminal Gang & Homicide Det. Chris Barling said Mendez, of Pomona, called a friend to pick him up from the area prior to being shot. After the shooting, the friend arrived and began driving Mendez home. The friend did not know that Mendez was injured until he became unresponsive. At that point, Mendez was taken to the medical center for treatment.

Additionally, Barling said it was unclear if Mendez and the other victim were shooting at each other or if they were injured during separate acts. Detectives are still investigating, he said.

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Det. C. Valento at (213) 485-1383. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times