Rodolfo Alberto Melendez, a 27-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 14, in the 100 block of West 84th Place in Florence, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

[Editor's note: Melendez's death was not included in the Homicide Report last year. His death was added to the database after the Los Angeles Times learned of his killing from the LAPD.]

Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Melendez was sitting in a car about 10:40 p.m. when a person walked up and opened fire.

Authorities were called and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. According to coroner's records, Melendez died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Two men were later arrested and charged with murder in connection with the case.

Anyone with additional information about the killing is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department at (877) LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Those wishing …

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Cesar Sanchez-Caro, a 17-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Saturday, Oct. 2, in the 800 block of East Pine Avenue in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Sanchez-Caro was standing outside an apartment about 11:05 p.m. when he was shot several times, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.

Witnesses to the shooting called 911 and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:33 p.m., Winter said.

The Times has contacted detectives to get more information about the homicide investigation and will post an update when details become available.

[Update March 9: Sheriff's homicide Det. Kathleen Gallagher, who is handling the case, said Sanchez-Caro was chasing a male through the apartment complex when that person shot him.

The shooter was described as a Latino, younger in age and wearing dark clothing, she said.

Authorities believe the shooting was gang-related. No arrests have been made in …

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Tarae Dyson, a 21-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, July 23, in the 2000 block of North Salinas Avenue in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Sheriff's homicide Det. Karen Shonka, who is handling the investigation, said Dyson was driving into his residence when someone began shooting into his car.

He was taken to a hospital where he died at 12:41 a.m. According to coroner's records, Dyson was shot several times.

Investigators do not have a description of the shooter.

The incident is not believed to be gang-related.

Anyone with information about the death of Tarae Dyson is asked to contact Det. Shonka at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters who'd like to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

[Editor's note: Dyson's death was not included in the Homicide Report last year. His death was added to the database after the Los Angeles Times …

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Taburi Watson, a 14-year-old African American, was fatally shot Wednesday, Dec. 29, in the 8700 block of South St. Andrews Place in Gramercy Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Taburi was riding his bike near St. Andrews Place and 87th Street about 7:25 p.m. when one or more assailants fired shots.

More than one bullet struck the teenager, who staggered a short distance from his bicycle and collapsed. Neighbors came outside after hearing shots to find him lying on the ground. Taburi was declared dead after being  taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

His death is the fourth in December with probable links to two warring Crips gangs in the Manchester Square and Gramercy Park areas east of Inglewood, Los Angeles police Det. Eric Crosson said.

At the time of his shooting, Taburi was wearing clothes suggesting an affiliation with one of the warring gangs, Crosson said. He was …

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Darryl Smith, a 37-year-old black man, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, eight days after he was shot near South Main Street and 110th Street in Broadway-Manchester, according to Los Angeles Police Department records.

Smith was shot while in a car Dec. 21 about 4:45 p.m., said LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide Det. Chris Barling.

After the shooting, he was driven to the LAPD's Southeast Division station, which is a short distance away near Main and 110th streets. Authorities called paramedics and Smith was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries, Barling said.

Smith was discharged from the hospital Dec. 26, but was readmitted a short time later to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where he died Dec. 29.

Barling said it's unknown what led up to the shooting. Additionally, investigators do not have a description of the shooter.

Smith was a documented gang member, and detectives …

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Davion Brown, a 16-year-old African American was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 29, in the 2000 block of East Piru Street in Willowbrook, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Davion and another teenager were walking along Piru Street a little after 10 a.m. when they were approached by someone driving a light-colored sedan, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.

The car stopped and a man exited the vehicle holding a handgun. He then shot at the two teenagers, got back into the car and drove away.

According to coroner's records, Davion was hit several times. His companion was not injured, police said.

Sheriff 's homicide Det. Bill Marsh, who is handling the case, said Davion was taken to St. Francis Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Davion had gang affiliations, and the shooting is believed to be gang-related, Marsh said.

No arrests have been made in connection …

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Jonathan Sosa, a 19-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Monday, Dec. 27, near Acacia Avenue and 118th Street in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Sosa had just parked his car about 6:35 p.m. when a black man approached and shot him, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. Coroner's records show he was shot in the torso and both arms.

The assailant fled the area on foot after the shooting.

Authorities were called and Sosa was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he died at 7:07 p.m., said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.

Anyone with details about the incident or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact Det. Mike Rodriguez at the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters who would like to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Sarah Ardalani

Mark Gonzales, a 29-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Dec. 12, in the 1500 block of South McBride Avenue in Commerce, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Deputies responded to a "gunshot victim" call Sunday evening, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. When authorities arrived, they found Gonzales on the street with several gunshot wounds.

Paramedics were called, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died at 8:20 p.m., coroner's records show.

Witnesses told detectives Gonzales was walking on Dunham Street when he was approached from behind by a dark colored Honda Civic. A person inside the vehicle shot at Gonzales, then fled westbound on Dunham and then northbound on Duncan Avenue.

Anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at …

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Douglas Zerby, a 35-year-old white man, was shot and killed by police Sunday, Dec. 12, in the 5300 block of East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Two Long Beach police officers responded to a 911 call at 4:40 p.m. from a neighbor reporting an intoxicated man holding a "six shooter" that looked like an antique gun.

"The officers had a position of cover and were observing the suspect while other officers were en route," said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department.

Zapalski said Zerby was in a seated position when he extended his arms while holding the gun-like object and pointed it at an officer.

Investigators later determined that Zerby was actually holding a black pistol-grip water nozzle with a metal tip, she said.

He was shot in the torso with a shotgun and handgun, then handcuffed, Zapalski …

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Gwendolyn Taylor, a 61-year-old black woman, was fatally shot Sunday, Dec. 12, in the 400 block of West Beach Avenue in Inglewood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

The shooting occurred at 4:45 p.m. at Rogers Park.

A man opened fire on a 15-year-old boy, who hid behind a parked vehicle, said Lt. Michael Marshall of the Inglewood Police Department. Stray bullets hit the teen in the arm and Taylor in the rib cage as she was leaving the park’s building.

Both victims, who police say apparently did not know each other, were taken to the hospital. The boy was treated and released, but Taylor died after surgery, Marshall said.

Taylor was at the park for an annual Christmas dinner with fellow veterans' families. The event had just wrapped up, and Jose Taylor Jr. and his wife of 40 years were loading leftovers and their grandkids' toys into the …

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Thomas Davenport, a 47-year-old black man, was stabbed to death Friday, Dec. 10, in the 2200 block of Carlton Avenue in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Authorities received a call about 10:25 p.m. regarding a person yelling and carrying a screwdriver, said Pomona Police Lt. Raul Rilloraza.

When officers arrived, they found Davenport on the ground. According to coroner's records, he had a single stab wound to the left side of his neck.

Paramedics were called and Davenport was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:40 p.m.

During the investigation, detectives learned Davenport was the person wielding the screwdriver. At some point, he got into an argument with an individual and he was stabbed.

Rilloraza said investigators have identified the person involved in the incident, but he declined to provide any further information. At this time, no charges have been filed in …

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Carlos Ewell, a 30-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 8, near 111th Place and Figueroa Street in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Police received a call regarding a "person down" about 9:40 p.m., said LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide Det. R. Fontes, who is handling the case.

When they arrived they found Ewell wounded. According to coroner's records, he was shot several times in the torso, left arm and right leg.

Ewell was taken by paramedics to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he died 40 minutes later, coroner’s records show.

Fontes said it's unknown what led up to the shooting and there is no description of the shooter. However, the incident is believed to be gang-related since Ewell was a documented gang member.

Anyone with information about the killing or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact Det. Fontes at (213) 485-4341. …

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Charboia Jones, a 26-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 8, near East 112th Place and Mona Avenue in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Jones was driving a car about 10 a.m. when he was hit by gunfire. After the shooting, the vehicle crashed into a chain-link fence.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Authorities believe the shooting was gang-related.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Kashmier James, a 25-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 25, in the 1700 block of West 85th Street in Manchester Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Authorities said that after celebrating the Christmas holiday with family, James was heading home to Riverside when she stopped about 10:20 p.m. to visit a friend.

As James stood in the street outside her friend's home, two men in a blue Chevrolet Tahoe pulled up and stopped, police said. One of the men got out and fired nine shots at James, striking her at least once in the head.

According to coroner's records, she was shot in the cheek and both legs.

James was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 3-year old daughter witnessed the shooting from the back seat of James' car but was unharmed.

Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

[Update Jan. 7: LAPD Criminal …

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Cesar Guerrero, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 25, in the 1200 block of Innes Avenue in Echo Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

The incident began shortly before noon between Sunset Boulevard and the Dodger Stadium parking lot area, police said. A confrontation erupted between pedestrians and a group of men riding in a car.

During the dispute, a shooting occurred and Guerrero, who was sitting in the vehicle, was hit. Three others were wounded but survived, officials said.

After the shooting, the car, a white Honda Civic, apparently was then driven about 10 blocks away to Baxter Street and Echo Park Avenue. It was abandoned with Guerrero's body inside, according to Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Lt. John Romero. When authorities arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said they had not yet determined a motive and had not made any …

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