Gunman Wounds Teenager Outside Sisters’ Workplace

An 18-year-old Arleta man who was shot as he picked up his sister from her job at a medical clinic was clinging to life late Wednesday, authorities said.

Few details about the shooting were available but the single gunshot wound appeared to be life-threatening, said Sgt. Robert Davis, of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division.

“We don’t know where this is going to go,” he said, adding that the location of the wound could not be revealed pending the investigation.

Jose Cervantes was shot about 5 p.m. in front of the Mother’s Clinic at the Roscoe Plaza in the 15200 block of Roscoe Boulevard, authorities said. Cervantes was rushed to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Neither a suspect nor a motive for the shooting was immediately known, according to the police.

Cervantes was shot either in his car or as he was getting into the vehicle after picking up one of two sisters who work at the clinic.

“They told us someone just ran up to him and shot him,” said David Cervantes, 15, the victim’s brother, who rushed to the clinic after police called his house. David Cervantes said his brother often picked up one or both of their sisters, Elva, 21, and Maria, 22, from the clinic.

Jose Cervantes graduated from Francis Polytechnic High School in June and was planning to join the Marine Corps in four weeks.

“He’s not a gangbanger. That’s all we know,” David Cervantes said. He added that neither he, Jose nor any of their other Arleta friends know people in Panorama City.

Of their circle of friends--whose hobbies are building model cars and going to clubs--Jose Cervantes was known as the shy one, David Cervantes said. “I’m the most troublemaker,” he said. “He’s quiet, quiet. He doesn’t talk.”

Said Oscar Canargo, 19, who described himself as Jose’s best friend: “I’ve seen him in a couple fights but it wasn’t his fault.”

Family members hugged and cried outside the operating room Wednesday night.

Doctors had not revealed Jose’s condition, said Maria Cervantes, his mother.

“They haven’t told us anything,” she said.