Slain Youth Was Defending Mother, Police Say

A 17-year-old youth who was stabbed to death during a fight at his own party last weekend was apparently defending his mother, who had asked a group of party crashers--some of them gang members--to leave, police said Monday.

“A fight broke out between the invited guests and the intruders after several belligerent remarks were made toward the victim’s mother,” Los Alamitos Police Cmdr. Gary Biggerstaff said in a prepared statement.

During the fracas, Edward Navarrette was killed and Pedro Ramos, 19, of Long Beach was wounded. Ramos was in fair condition Monday at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Police were still uncertain who killed Navarrette and injured Ramos during Saturday night’s fight at Navarrette’s home on the 3900 block of San Mateo Avenue. The stabbing occurred shortly after 11 p.m.

Police have estimated that there were between 50 and 75 people from Long Beach and Orange County at the party.

Many of the guests responded to a flyer that had apparently circulated a week before the party, Biggerstaff said. The flyers, some of which were put on windshields of cars at Los Alamitos High School, said beer would be served and a $3 cover charge would be collected at the door.

Navarrette’s mother, Robin Rangel, told police that the party crashers were asked to leave because she thought they were gang members and “their presence would cause tension and possible violence,” Biggerstaff said.

Navarrette apparently did not belong to a gang, but did associate with suspected gang members, police said.

One 17-year-old witness who was a friend of Navarrette said Monday that there were members from at least nine gangs, from Los Angeles to Fullerton, at the party.

Police confirmed that gang members from throughout the area were at the party. As a result, investigators said they have had problems interviewing witnesses.

“Those interviewed are not saying much,” Biggerstaff said. “This fits the typical stereotype of a gang incident.”