Teen’s Kin Seeks Aid for Burial

The family of a teenager slain during a reported confrontation with police last week appealed Sunday for help to pay for a funeral.

Joseph Pulido, 17, was shot in the back of the shoulder Thursday evening when he fled from officers, according to authorities. The bullet likely pierced Pulido’s spine and he died at the scene, police said.

Police said Pulido aimed a gun at the officer who shot him, but family and friends say they believe Pulido was unarmed and ran from the routine stop in the 200 block of North McClay Street only because he was violating his probation.

A blue-steel .357 Magnum--stolen from Torrance in October 1994--was found in a nearby backyard. The district attorney’s office is investigating the incident, as it routinely does for all officer-involved shootings.

The youth’s mother, 46-year-old Elizabeth Pulido, said the coroner’s office released her son’s body to the family late Sunday. She said said her husband, Pedro Pulido, 43, has a construction job, but the family does not have enough savings to cover burial.

“I think the funeral home is going to cost $5,000 and we still have to buy the burial lot,” Elizabeth Pulido said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

The youth’s aunt, Teresa Vargas, 49, said she has spent the Christmas weekend collecting donations from family, neighbors and friends to help with Pulido’s burial.

“They’re bringing me $10, $20, whatever they have,” Vargas said.

Vargas said she had collected $300 by midday Sunday.

Anyone who wishes to contribute can reach the Pulido home at (714) 558-1320.