Owner of popular Lynwood taco stand is shot, killed while closing

Detectives were investigating the shooting death of a longtime taco stand owner who was fatally wounded early Monday at his business in Lynwood.

The shop owner was identified as 65-year-old Jose Padilla, according to Craig Harvey, Los Angeles County coroner’s spokesman. Padilla suffered multiple gunshot wounds, he said.

Padilla’s daughter told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that her father was closing up his shop, La Playita Mariscos, in the 11020 block of South Atlantic Avenue, when three men entered looking for money.

An altercation reportedly ensued between her father and the men, resulting in the fatal shooting.

Padilla was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Padilla opened the taco stand 17 years ago, his daughter told KTLA. The stand quickly became popular, so he opened a second location in Compton.

The taco stand “meant so much to him,” his daughter, Miriam Padilla, said.

“This place and his family meant the world to that man,” she said. “There is no man out there like my father.”

Jose Padilla’s death marks the ninth homicide in Lynwood since 2007. All nine victims suffered gunshot wounds, according to The Times Homicide Report.

Anyone with details about the shooting is urged to call the sheriff’s homicide bureau (323) 890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers (800) 222-8477.

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