Rene Vargas, 14

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Rene Vargas, a 14-year-old Latino youngster, was killed in LAPD’s Rampart Division at about 8:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 in the 1300 block of West 7th Street in L.A.’s Westlake area.

He was walking on the sidewalk. A black SUV pulled up, coming the other way, and a Latino man or youth got out and shot in the direction of Rene, said LAPD Det. Fred Faustino. Rene walked a few steps and then collapsed. He died at a County-USC hospital shortly after, at 8:43 p.m. He was not a documented gang member. He was attending Belmont High School. Rampart detectives are at (213) 207-2060.

Below, his teenage friends display a collection box near his shrine--candles, pictures of the Virgen, and a Mickey beer.

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