Roberto Carlos Sanchez, 13

Feb. 23, 2011, 1:52 p.m.

Roberto Sanchez, a 13-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Monday, Feb. 21, near Temple Street and Benton Way in Westlake, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said several men drove up about 7:25 p.m. and then walked over to Roberto and two teenage boys standing at the northwest corner.

At least one of the men opened fire, and witnesses said they saw Roberto fall to the ground before the attackers drove away in a dark-colored Toyota Camry, said Los Angeles Police Det. Michael Arteaga.

Roberto was hit several times and pronounced dead at the scene. The two other teenagers were not wounded and fled the scene before police arrived, officials said.

The shooting is believed to be gang-related.

Police are asking the two teenagers to come forward to help identify the suspects, and they urged anyone with information to call Rampart Station detectives at (213) 484-3639. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

-- Tony Barboza

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47 reader comments

Gummie it’s been 10 years & you are still remembered. At such a young age I experienced loss and grief over you, you were my young love & our time together was cut short & till this day it still sits heavy in my heart that you’re gone but I feel it made me that much wiser and appreciative of life. I wish it didn’t have to be you, who knows what life would be like for you now if you were still with us, but you were too cool you just had to leave us regular folk behind huh lol... I know you watch over me & keep me safe, Ill always love you & that’ll never change. That song Somebody like you by Tweety that you dedicated to me still gets played but never without a tear & never without remembering you. Your birthday is coming up soon, I hope you do it big up there! Keep watching over me my angel <3
-Giselle

— Giselle Erazo June 30, 2021 at 2:50 a.m.

Haha dam its been 3 years since ive wrote to you. Yesterday i was going through my instagram and guess what i stumble upon...haha thats right my boy a picture of us haha right when i saw that picture i broke down and started crying while talking to the picture as if you were actually physically here 💔 u know im still with Faby? Haha yea 3 beautiful years with her but somehow my heart still felt empty and now i know why i had that feeling because i was still grieving about what had happend to you. But now i know i have to move on for the sake the relationship i have with faby. Soon ill see you my boy soon we'll kick it like old times bumping up the oldies during lunch 🎶 but till then i have to say thank you for always having my back when needed. You remain in my heart my boy peice
- Raul A. Jimenez

— Raul A. Jimenez Aug. 3, 2014 at 10:50 p.m.

Gummie , My Boyy Gummie , Well its been a Year since your paaing , i hope your doing well up in heaven , You might be gone , pero los memorias will NEVER fade♥ , i love & MISSSS YOOUUU TOOO DEAAAATHHH <3 .
I know that you dont wanna see me cry , but i cant take it , i gotta let these feelings go that i have since your passinnggg , ♥ , SHADDYY ASS PEOPLE who left you COLD-HEARTED on the curb , & it was by my pad , wooww ! Thankss for having my back , & being by my sidee <3 , your TRULY a good HOMIE ♥ , i wish you were by my side like the old timesss . . . . I'll love you till the END of time , I know you'll be waiting for us up in heaven , see you in the crossroads LOKOTE <33 . . .♥♥♥♥
Damn , damn , damn , lifes a trip .

- D ' E ' S ' I ' R ' E ' E ♥

— Desiree April 27, 2012 at 8:41 a.m.

DAM homie gee ive been reading all of this nd couldent hold my tears in its almost a year scence near my birthday ;( pero to know ur always going to be here with me makes me put a smile in my face hope to see u soon nd kikback like old times <3 it took me a long time 2 write this pero u know how much i love you nd miss u lil boy.. i still remember the days u use 2 to come 2 my pad nd play with lil justin<3 nd the times u be takeing care of u were nd still are like my lil brother <3 GUMMIE LOKS <3 i love nd miss u.. You will always be inside of in my heart nd in my mind always nd 4ever <3 u know all my family had nd have respected for u Rest in gangster paradise ESE GUMMIE LOKOTE.. Witch much love nd respect ESA KRASIE LOKS <3 WSWAFLS stay up homie gee keep ur head up nd watch over us <3 Firme memories of ROBERTO CARLOS SANCHEZ AKA GUMMIE <3

— Esa krasie loks wswafls Dec. 10, 2011 at 10:36 p.m.

Deaaar ; myy gumiiee boooyy ; daaammm am berly finding thing and juust seeing all our homiees ritee on this makees mee fall in tears ;( i miss yuhh soo much !!!! Weell now everyone nows yuhr in a better placee ! An amm gladee i had the changes to meet a boy likee yuhh always with that smilee on yur face and thaat laugh of uuhrs alwways shining bright ;) , imiss yuhh soo much yur alwaays in my mind serio foo' i miss yurr sence of hummer alwaays looking out with thaat gumm off yuhrs(; daam now that i look up in the sky i think of yuh , i see that yuhr watching us from theree . Yuhr in a better place now homiee (: bee good up there staay cleean gee (: never would be forgotten i can promise yuh that ! imisssyuhh with all my heart !
IN LOVING MEMORY GUMMIE LOWKS !!!

— -Payola Kinns (; Nov. 28, 2011 at 1:29 p.m.

my gumie bear..damnn boy you gone now, but i still carry yuh in mi corazonn.your the type of person who would always carry that big beautiful smile on your face with your two big dimples.your face is forever planted in my brain.im always ganna think bout you time to time and hopeful soon i will be able to talk and think bout you without cryingg..thee homies are here reminiscing aboutt you and your crazy wayss.we all love you .we have love and respect for you.roberto carlos sanchez, i love you as my friend,as my homie,my buddy,and i love you like you where another one of my primoss.foo remember were here showing respect for you .even thoe your gone up in heaven,you will never stay behindd,we over here carring you with us.we love you and will be missing you.just here with the oldies thinkin of you mijo.we will see you some day.mucho love&respect from myself lucky,johnny,buddha,lil kasper,lil'grumpy,selosita,mosa,snoopy,rudy,dayanara,cesar,seek&ALL of your homies and most of all tu familia.we love you..
"FIRME MEMORIES OF GUMIE LOKKS"

— Lucky Feb. 26, 2011 at 10:04 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Roberto Carlos Sanchez, 13

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