Sergio Mares, 42

Sergio Mares, a 42-year-old Latino, was fatally shot on Monday, Dec. 17, in the 6700 block of Laurelgrove Avenue in North Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Mares had an address in Sun Valley, but also appeared to have been recently living out of his car, said Los Angeles police Det. Steve Castro.

Investigators believe Mares started working on his car that afternoon, in the Valley Plaza Recreation Center parking lot just west of where Laurelgrove Avenue runs into Archwood Street, Castro said. 

Mares had removed a tire from his car and had other tools laid out shortly before 6 p.m. when two men walked up and began shooting at him, Castro said. 

The shooters got into a black sedan and drove away, heading north toward Vanowen Street, Castro said.

Mares was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m., according to coroner’s records. The cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds. 

The parking lot is surrounded by trees and is relatively isolated from the street, Castro said. There was an exercise class in the adjacent gym, but no one heard the gunfire or reported seeing the shooting, he said. Investigators are looking for surveillance camera footage to see if they can get a description of the shooters. 

Investigators don’t have a motive for the shooting, and they don’t know why Mares was there. No one remembered seeing Mares hanging out in the area in the past, Castro said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Castro at Valley Bureau Homicide, (818) 374-1925. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.