Raymond Frias, 16

Aug. 8, 2008, 12:06 a.m.

Raymond Frias, a 16-year-old Latino youth, was shot in the 2900 block of Poplar Drive in Lynwood about 11:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Frias was sitting on the front porch of a residence, visiting a female friend, when a Latino man approached him and asked "Where are you from?" Frias did not respond and was shot in the back, authorities said. The man fled on foot. Frias was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said Frias' friend was not injured in the shooting.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-Ruben Vives/LAT

Share a memory or thought about Raymond Frias

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

11 reader comments

You know it's unfortunate that many Latino youth like this young man risk their lives everyday when they're affiliated with gangs or exposed to such rough and violent, urban neighborhoods. I remember meeting and knowing Raymond not at a personal level but as an acquaintance when I used to live in Lynwood. I still remember that night this incident occurred and the helicopter flying around a couple of streets away from my home. I knew and felt that whatever happened was not good but I never once thought he would have been the victim. And it's devastating to know that many young boys are still fighting to survive in these ghetto, urban communities. It is not their fault that they fall under such circumstances and shorten their life expectancies. Indeed, it is the negative factors these urban communities contain that contribute to these influences and outcomes that many Latino youth like Frias had or have to try to overcome. Nevertheless, I am still shocked about this past incident because he was such a nice guy and died at a relatively young age. He yearned to simply live and he had so much more to live for, perhaps he would have determined a different path for himself. May he rest in peace, gone but never forgotten, missed and loved by many.

-In harmony and respect, E.V

— UCSC student & former Lynwood resident May 18, 2012 at 5:06 a.m.