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A skate contest will be held today in Highland Park in honor of Carlos Arellano, who was killed last month in Echo Park over his skateboard.
The murder, which remains unsolved, occurred on the night of August 16, in the middle of the Echo Park Rising music festival. Arellano and his girlfriend where approached by three men authorities believe to be gang members and witnesses say a conflict arose when Arellano refused to give up his skateboard. The 22-year old man was stabbed and killed. The Los Feliz skate shop Kingswell decided to hold the benefit event today in honor of Arellano, even though they did not know the slain skater nicknamed "Ekeh." "They just decided to do a good farewell," self-described "skater mom" Christine Olson told LA Weekly.
Olson will be helping out at the event to be held this afternoon from noon until 6 p.m. at the Garvanza Skate Park in Highland Park. The event will feature a "best trick" contest, and food, drinks, and raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for Arellano's family, who buried their son last week. The event will be free to attend, but donations are welcome.
For those looking to help out but cannot attend today's event, friends of the family are collecting funds online to benefit Arellano's family.
