Two Street Vendors Are Fatally Shot

Two street vendors were shot and killed early Sunday evening during an apparent holdup of their pushcarts on a Walnut Park street, sheriff’s deputies said.

The two were shot point-blank in the head as they were selling corn on the cob and other food at Firestone Boulevard and Hooper Avenue about 5:10 p.m., said Deputy Rich Erickson.

Two assailants had approached the men and demanded money, deputies said. Witnesses said the victims were apparently shot because they were slow to respond to the demands for money.

Both died at the scene. One was identified as 55-year-old Sylvester Placencia of Los Angeles. The second victim was not immediately identified pending notification of his family.

The gunmen ran off. No arrests have been made.