Police Seeking Witnesses to Fatal Shooting of N. Hollywood Teen

Los Angeles police vowed Tuesday to solve the slaying of a North Hollywood teenager who was shot in the head while trying to stop gang members from beating a disabled friend.

“He was a courageous young man. He could have run,” Det. Mike Coffey said of 15-year-old Samuel Salas. “He literally walked up to the group and said, ‘Hey, leave him alone,’ and one guy turns around and shoots him in the head.”

Although there was only one gunman, all the attackers could face murder charges because they acted in concert, Coffey said. Police, who believe that the assailants are from the neighborhood because they fled on foot, have asked potential witnesses to last weekend’s attack to come forward.

“We can solve this case,” Coffey said. “We desperately need the help of the public.”

Salas was walking to a party with a 21-year-old friend, who is partially paralyzed, about 11 p.m. Saturday in the 11400 block of Tiara Street, police said. The man, whom police did not identify because of concerns for his safety, was disabled 12 years ago in a traffic accident and has limited mobility on his left side, Coffey said.

Police said three or four gang members confronted the man and demanded to know his gang affiliation. When the man told the group that he did not belong to a gang, they began punching him, police said. As many as 10 more gang members appeared and joined in the attack, police said.

They knocked the man to the ground and pummeled his torso and face, Coffey said.

When Salas tried to stop the attackers, one pulled out a handgun and shot him once in the head. “That was his payback for getting involved,” Coffey said.

The teenager was transported to a hospital, where he died Sunday afternoon. The unidentified victim suffered mostly bruises.

“It could have been far worse, even fatal” for the disabled man, had Salas not intervened, Coffey said.

Neither victim has a criminal record or a gang connection, investigators said.

They said Salas was living with his mother after arriving about two months ago from Texas, where he had been staying with his father.

On Aug. 1, his mother enrolled him in Options for Youth, a public charter school in Burbank for at-risk youths.

“He came to our program because he was behind in credits,” said Ellen Harris, communications manager for the school.

“He was a quiet person,” she said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t here long enough for the teacher to get to know him and find out what his dream was. When we asked, he didn’t say.”

Coffey said Salas apparently was considered at risk because “he was tending to be a little rebellious. Not criminally, but with his parents.”

The detective said the adult friend, who like Salas lived about two blocks from the attack scene, was “petrified” of retaliation and had moved out of the area.

“He’s devastated,” Coffey said. “He’s taking this very badly. He’s having nightmares already.”

Police asked anyone with information to contact them at (818) 623-4045. Callers do not have to identify themselves.