This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Three Murders in Two Days for Rampart Division
The infamous Rampart Division which patrols neighborhoods including Echo Park, Korea Town, HiFi and MacArtur Park, started the new year off with a few deaths.
On New Year's Eve, 21-year-old Sergio Chamale-Mendez was shot in his car in what is believed to be a gang related shooting. He was found by officers responding to a call at Occidental and 3rd Street around 10 p.m. Chamale-Mendez was apparently stopped at the intersection when the suspect's vehicle pulled up aside and fired several times. Three others in the car were not hurt.
Approxmiately 12 hours later the next morning, units responded to a call on the 1200 block of West 8th Street. Upon arrival, they found Julio Ruiz red handed, apparently washing blood from his hands with a garden hose on the side of the residence. He was taken into custody without incident, the LAPD said. When officers entered the home, they found two elderly male roommates, who later died of their injuries, with stab wounds.
Photo by CarbonNYC via Flickr
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
