South Bay : HELP SOUGHT
Sheriff’s deputies have issued a call for help in tracking down the killer of a Lennox teen-ager who, authorities said, was mistaken for a gang member and shot because of his clothes.
“It was just a matter of dress that got him into trouble,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. John View of Jose De La Paz, 16.
The boy suffered multiple gunshot wounds about 8:30 p.m. Sunday as he and a friend, also 16, rode bikes on Lennox Boulevard. View said both were dressed in the unofficial gang uniform of baggy pants and white T-shirt even though they were not known gang members.
Assailants in a maroon minivan apparently thought otherwise.
The van pulled alongside the boys, and an occupant opened fire on De La Paz, who died at the scene. The other boy was not injured.
The van, which had been reported stolen, was recovered at an undisclosed location.
Investigators believe the assailants were gang members who mistook De La Paz as a member of a rival clan.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (213) 890-5500.
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