Man Slain After Refusing to Give Up His Computer

When Michael Cortez enrolled in a computer programming course at a local college three years ago and told his family that he was trying to “find himself,” they were happy for him. They could not have imagined that his love of computers would lead to his death.

Earlier this week, police found Cortez, a file clerk for a small law firm, clutching his Macintosh laptop as he lay dying on the street in the Westlake district, shot three times in the chest by a gunman who had demanded the computer. Before losing consciousness, Cortez, 39, told police that he had fought off the gunman. He died an hour later at Hospital of the Good Samaritan.

On the day of his death, Cortez, described as a giving man and a computer zealot, had been expected at his wife’s apartment to visit his 10-year-old twin sons, David and Danny, and give her money for the boys’ Christmas presents. The couple had been separated for a year.

Myra Cortez said she became worried when her husband didn’t show up but waited until the next day to call. “I called his work and the secretary told me he passed away. She didn’t even know I was his wife,” Myra Cortez said tearfully. She said she had not been notified by police because Cortez’s identification listed a different address.

Police said they have no suspects or witnesses in the case, but they are looking for three men, 20 to 24 years old, whose clothing was similar to that often worn by gang members.

Javier Cortez said his brother lived in the Westlake neighborhood only for convenience. “He knew Los Angeles had a lot of crime, but he worked two blocks away and he didn’t have a car, so from there he could ride his bike or take the bus to work,” he said.

Originally from New York, Cortez came to Los Angeles at age 13. After starting a family and working at unsatisfying jobs, he decided to take computer programming courses at Los Angeles City College. There, his brother said, he got hooked on computers.

“He got so involved in computers that every time he had a chance, he would have a computer with him,” Javier Cortez said. “That’s why he took that job (at the law office), so he could be closer to computers.”

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Employees at the firm where Cortez worked said they were shocked to find out Monday about their co-worker’s death.

“Monday was our Christmas luncheon and we were waiting for him to show up,” said Odette Polanco, a legal secretary. “Then we got the call. It was a very sad lunch.”

Cortez’s employer, attorney Harvey Richard, has set up a fund for the family to help with funeral expenses.

Myra Cortez said she is not sure what her financial future will be, but she is more worried about getting her sons through the tragedy.

“They cry a lot. But it is good when they are around children, then they kind of forget,” she said. “They still don’t get the whole picture, though. It’s hard to explain to a child what really happened.”