A story for every victim

Family is grief-stricken after unexpected shooting death of father

Last week, the Times reported on the killing of Juan Barrajas, a father of four who was struck in front of his home Dec. 17 during a drive-by shooting.

Investigators have not made an arrest in connection with the case, but believe the shooter was a gang-member. Barrajas had no known gang ties.

Several days after the fatal shooting, reporter Abby Sewell sat down with Barrajas' family to discuss his history in the U.S., the life he built and how the family is coping with the passing during the holidays.

Read more: Community mourns L.A. father of 4 slain in drive-by shooting

Photos: Shooting victim mourned in Westlake

Photo: The mother of Juan Jose Barajas, Josefina Vega, 66, cries in her son's small apartment as she holds onto family photos and asks for answers about why Barajas was killed. Credit: Barbara Davidson/The Los Angeles Times

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