Steve Fermin Cerda, 18

Steve Fermin Cerda, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Tuesday June 23, in the 6100 block of Norwalk Boulevard near Whittier, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Cerda was standing outside his apartment complex with a group of friends when a Latino walked up to the group and began shooting at them, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina. 

Cerda was shot multiple times and collapsed. No one else was injured. 

Cerda was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:35 p.m., according to coroner’s records. 

“He just graduated from Pioneer High School a few weeks ago and was planning to go to junior college,” Corina said. 

“This is kind of a known area for a local street gang. His mom said she’d just told him to stop hanging out in front there, but you know, he’s 18 and he tells her, ‘Mom, I’m just hanging out in front here, I’ll be in soon,’ and then he gets shot. He was just hanging with the wrong people in the wrong place.”

Witnesses said the shooter ran south on Norwalk Boulevard.

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

— Jeanette Marantos