A story for every victim

Samuel Santoyo-Mendoza, 29

Samuel Santoyo-Mendoza, a 29-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, June 22, in the 6000 block of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Santoyo-Mendoza was in the dining room of a restaurant about 8 p.m., when he got into an argument with another man, said Lt. Dave Coleman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Santoyo-Mendoza got up to go to the bathroom, and the man followed him. The argument continued into the hallway, and the man pulled out a gun and shot Santoyo-Mendoza, Coleman said.

The man, described as a Latino who could be about 38 years old, fled in a black Cadillac Escalade, Coleman said.

Santoyo-Mendoza was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Share a memory or thought about Samuel Santoyo-Mendoza

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.

  Required
  Required

Three reader comments