Man Shot to Death After Surprising Car Thieves

Police on Monday identified a man who was shot to death outside a South Los Angeles hotel when he surprised four thieves trying to steal his car.

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Antonio Alvarez of Los Angeles, a police spokesman said. He was killed about 10 a.m. Sunday at the EC Motel at 3501 S. Western Ave., the spokesman said.

Alvarez had apparently left his room to get some clothes from his car and surprised the thieves, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Charles Rodriguez said.

“At the time, all four produced handguns and shot the victim several times,” Rodriguez said.

Alvarez suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Paramedics took him to a local hospital, where he died about an hour later, police said.

The gunmen drove off in the victim’s car, a green 1996 Acura Integra, which is still missing, police said.

Anyone who may have seen the car or the shooting is asked to call the LAPD’s Southwest station at (213) 485-7552 or 584-2504.