VENICE : Man Shot 10 Times in Latest Flare-Up of Gang Violence
A man riddled by bullets in the latest Venice gang war violence remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday.
Albert Marquez, 26, was shot 10 times Wednesday night in a section of Venice where a feud between Latino and black gangs has killed 11 since September.
New shootings have dimmed hopes after a slowdown in the violence. A community organizer trying to mediate was shot in the arm Saturday while walking in Venice.
“We were sort of hoping we had a lull. But it looks like it’s picking back up again,” said Lt. Brad Merritt, who heads the Los Angeles Police Department’s anti-gang detail on the Westside.
Marquez, who bears gang tattoos, came under fire near Lincoln Boulevard by a black suspect shouting a gang cry, Merritt said. Marquez was chased and shot repeatedly while hiding behind a fence, Merritt said.
Meanwhile, Merritt said that authorities were preparing charges against a 17-year-old gang member linked to the shooting of the organizer and the November slaying of an Oakwood man with no gang ties. The juvenile, who was not identified, is in custody on unrelated warrants.
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