Robbers Shoot Redondo Youth

A Redondo Beach teen-ager was shot Thursday evening in Torrance after he was unable to produce money to give two masked men who attempted to rob him, Torrance police said.

The victim, Alex Gomez, 19, was treated and released Friday at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance.

The shooting occurred in an industrial area behind the Torrance Promenade, formerly known as Old Towne Mall, east of Hawthorne Boulevard.

Gomez had started working three days earlier as a painter’s helper at the George P. Johnson Co., which is in the industrial area at 3541 Challenger St. The firm makes trade show exhibits and displays, said Michael Rossi, its director of operations.

Gomez walked out of the firm’s back door on his way home at about 6:45 p.m. when he was confronted by two men, both wearing ski masks and carrying small-caliber handguns, said police Sgt. Ronald Traber.

One man reportedly pointed a gun at Gomez, ordered him to kneel and demanded money. When Gomez told them he had no money, one of the assailants told the other, “Shoot him,” Traber said. Gomez was shot in the side, and the bullet lodged in his pelvic area. The two men ran away, Traber said.