Youth, 17, Dies After Being Shot in Drive-By Attack

A 17-year-old boy died from gunshot wounds Monday after he was hit during a drive-by shooting, Los Angeles police said.

Omar Valdez, who was apparently shot several times while making a telephone call, was pronounced dead at Holy Cross Medical Center, authorities said.

Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

Detectives said Valdez was using a public phone in the 7400 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard about 10:55 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by gunshots fired from a brown American-made car, said Detective Charles Uribe.

“There was no provocation, no warning,” Uribe said.

Police suspect that Valdez was either a gang member or was friendly with the gang that controls the area where he was gunned down, Uribe said. Detectives believe he was shot by members of a rival gang. The murder weapon was a large-caliber handgun, police said.

About three weeks ago, Valdez was transferred from North Hollywood High School to John Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley because of academic and discipline problems, said North Hollywood Assistant Principal Dave Smith.

In 1993, Valdez transferred from Poly to North Hollywood High due to similar problems, Smith said.

But, Smith said, “None of the problems he had here were gang-related. It’s a shame; it’s very sobering.”