Homicide Report > Ervin Panameno, 19
Ervin Panameno, 19
Died Sept. 11, 2010 at 3:38 p.m.
Ervin Panameno, a 19-year-old Latino, died Saturday, Sept. 11, two days after he was shot in the 300 block of Rampart Boulevard in Westlake, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
[Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said Panameno was shot and killed Sept. 11.]
Police received a call of a "person down" on Sept. 9 about 7:30 a.m., said LAPD Rampart Homicide Det. Jeff Cortina.
When authorities arrived, they found Panameno lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he died several days later, according to coroner's records.
Investigators believed the shooting was gang-related.
No arrests have been made in connection with the case. Citing the ongoing investigation, Cortina was unable to provide a description of the shooter.
At the time of his death, Panameno was working at Homeboy Industries, the nonprofit gang-intervention program. He had been there for eight months, said Raul Diaz, a supervisor. Panameno oversaw teenagers ages 14 to 16 who worked part time for Homeboy, Diaz said. He also served as a runner, assisting with errands around the headquarters.
"He would help everyone in the office if they needed anything," Diaz said. "He was a very reliable guy, very fun to hang out with."
Diaz said he believed Panameno's prior gang ties were more peripheral than hard-core. He said Panameno, at the time he was shot, was walking to a bus stop to get to work. The area, he says, is known for gang activity.
Panameno had run the Los Angeles Marathon in March, Diaz said, and was training for the 1500 Steps Stairway Climb, a YMCA charity event scheduled for later this month. In the event, participants climb to the top of the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles.
Anyone with information about Panameno's shooting is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Det. Michael Arteaga at (213) 484-369 or Det. Chris Linscomb at (213) 484-3642. Those who would like to leave an anonymous tip should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
— Sarah Ardalani
21 reader comments about Ervin Panameno
Man, this is truly sad. My father and I have been volunteering at camp David Gonzales for years and knew Irvin for about a year before he came to work at Homeboy. I meet allot of young men in camp who say they want to change their lives and when they get out go right back to the same old behavior. Irvin was "THE REAL DEAL". I would see him on a daily basis running around Homeboy working hard and busting his butt. He would often come in Bakery just to see if I needed any help. He always impressed me with his intelligence and how friendly he was to everyone. He is deeply missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family from your friends here at Homeboy Bakery.
Sept. 14, 2010 at 2:47 p.m.
Kevin@ Homeboy Bakery, there are many gangster who want to change their ways, but if they gangbanged and did a lot of damage, it is difficult to impossible to walk away scot-free.
Sept. 14, 2010 at 4:32 p.m.
That's a shame that this young man is dead now. He probably did try to turn his life around. Unfortunately, things we do in the past can not be undone and they can come back to haunt us in the future. I believe that one can redeem him or herself for certain things. I know that my drug addiction has caused wreckage and I will never be able to redeem myself to some people. That is something I have to live with. Today is my 81st day of being clean and sober and I have no ammends to make to anyone anymore. If you are out there running and gunning, really think about where your life will be heading. Sometimes it is too late to make a change, so do it when you can.
Sept. 14, 2010 at 9 p.m.
Please send any tips or leads in regards to the death of Irvin Panameno to Detective Arteaga, LAPD Rampart Homicide. You can remain anonymous!
Email: 32722@LAPD.LACITY.ORG
Rampart Homicide: (213) 484-3650
Direct line: (213) 484-3639
Sept. 15, 2010 at 6:09 a.m.
Kevin@Homboy Bakery-I am glad that you were a witness to the changes in Ervin-I know it will be a comfort to his family to know that he was a man on a mission to change his ways and on his way to becoming a productive part of society. Unfortunatly, BreedSter is also correct in his comment- "there are many gangster who want to change their ways,but if they gangbanged and did a lot of damage, it is difficult to impossible to walk away scot-free." Sometimes even though it is the right decision to change, people from the past can not let you change and they hold onto the things you did and they remember your face. They see you and decide to shoot or stab you and end your life based on your past. God Bless his family and all of you at Homboy Bakery-continue to move foward in your quest to leave the past behind-you all have a good chance at being successful-don't let this discourage you-keep moving in the right direction. Everyone is responsible for their own actions-good or bad and we all have to pay the cost for our misdeeds, but I feel it is wrong to pay with your life. STAY SAFE ALL YOUNG MEN OF COLOR-IT'S A WAR GOING ON OUT HERE AND NO ONE IS SAFE.
Sept. 15, 2010 at 7:45 a.m.
How do the police respond to the threat that gangs pose to this neighborhood?
Are they on constant patrol and parked on street corners known for high rates of gang activity?
Do the search the homes of known gang members with prior convictions in hopes of getting guns off the streets?
Do they monitor gangs in some intelligent way?
Why would people allow this violence to continue?
Are the cops still profiting from the gangs like in the rampart days?
It's so sad. So many youths wasted. So many people living in fear. What a failure of society--families, law, education.
Gangs need to be systematically dismantled and disposed of. They are good for nothing.
Sept. 15, 2010 at 9:10 p.m.
Yes, we all make bad decisions and just because this young man was in a gang before does not mean he did not have the right to change is life for the better. I can not stand when people say "he was in a gang and when you do bad, bad comes back on you" If that's true then everyone is guilty, not just gang members. God forgives all no matter what they did, if you ask from your heart for your sins to be forgiving He is willing and just to forgive you. Ervin seemed to have turned his life around and it is tragic that his life was taken. R.I.P Ervin.
Sept. 16, 2010 at 9:53 a.m.
That's too bad this guy had to die...we needed guys like mr Panameno , who was doing good things after he was doing wrong....I bet he inspired other active and not active gangsters on both sides......one side....to seek revenge.....and the other side...to stop being active and start doing somthing positive for himself and his community
Sept. 16, 2010 at 2:32 p.m.
I was Irvin's teacher here at Homeboy. He had a smile that just lifted you off your feet and into the air. Everyone loved him. He was always giving advice to some of my younger students. One of them said to me today, "I need to do right by him. I need to do all the things he was always telling me to do." What an amazing legacy for a young man to leave in this world! We are all better people for having had Irvin in our lives.
Sept. 16, 2010 at 3:53 p.m.
We were able to watch Irvin grow up at Camp David Gonzales. He always hoped to return to the place where he began his path of change. Panameno, you will always be remembered at CDG. You are very loved!
Sept. 17, 2010 at 6:25 a.m.
It seems the only way to get out of the gang life is to move away and cut your ties with the people and neighborhood who ruined you.
Sept. 17, 2010 at 7:57 p.m.
Irvin was an amazing friend. He inspired so many people with his amazing smile and positive attitude. He was a strong man with a BIG heart. It is safe to say the people who were friends with Irvin, as well as those who at one point were his enemies, have been devastated by his loss. At one point he became a gang member, but despite his mistakes, he had come to a decision to better himself for the sake of his family. He was proud to go to school, to help people, and to finally do something useful with his life. But sadly, my friend never got the opportunity to finish what he started.
"SMILE-ON SMILONE!!"
See you soon carnalito. we love you.
Sept. 18, 2010 at 10:44 a.m.
Rest in peace Ervin. You were a credit to the spirit of repentance and redemption.
Sept. 21, 2010 at 1:46 a.m.
How horrible for someone to die so young. I guess the Constitutional "right to bear arms" means "shoot to kill if you want to get even" in America. So immature, and so deadly. Doesn't anybody care?????????????
Sept. 22, 2010 at 9:01 a.m.
I, of course, was saddened to see this young man die so young, and with SOO much potential. And yes, his smile was very infectious and uplifting! I just want to point out to "562vert" how easy it is to pass judgment on a person without knowing all of the facts. I noticed that you also commented on Brandon Lincoln's death that occurred a few weeks earlier. Well, so that you know, both of these young men were living together in a detention setting at the same time, within this last year, and come from very similar circumstances. You were quick to make negative remarks about Brandon, but seem more sympathetic about this case. YOU have proven to be a victim of the "media." Both of these young men had BIG hearts and it just happened that the media didnt tell you anything POSITIVE about Brandon because of the nature of his crime, they want you to see him as a villain, when in actuality, he was a near reflection of Ervin, who just happened to be backed into a corner, not knowing where his next meal would come from, and made a bad decision, as "none" stated in that post. (Not to justify his crime.) People should just be a little more sensitive to our misguided YOUTH and rather than tear them down with words without knowing where they come from, maybe people should offer to come into these communities and offer them some alternatives to their current lifestyles, as Homeboy Industries has done for many years. If your not going to be a part of the solution, then dont bother complaining about the problem. May they both rest in peace and continue to bond on the other side. God rest their souls.
Oct. 12, 2010 at 12:35 a.m.
Wow... thay kid was full of joy and happiness! ! Ill miss him having him around the block always flirting with me!! But he's in a better world!! R.I.P Smiley
Oct. 27, 2010 at 11:41 p.m.
BrokenHearted, Homeboys industry is not all they claim to be. Homeboys industry along with Father Gregory only protect gang members of the pico gardens and aliso village projects. These gangster continue to gangbang and look for shelter from both Homeboys industry and Father Gregory. Why don't you guys get real, in the gang world everyone knows who you favor certain gangs over others.
Nov. 1, 2010 at 4:29 p.m.
We were supposed to have lunch together at Homegirl Cafe the day that you were killed. I had not been back there since. I went on Thursday. It was sad to not see your smiling face running around. There still hangs a poster board with messages for you hanging on the wall. You are still very much missed! xo
May 1, 2011 at 7:33 a.m.
Sometimes, you got to leave the hood in order to fully change(and stay alive).
May 1, 2011 at 11:58 a.m.
one year later. you are still in so many peoples' hearts!
Sept. 9, 2011 at 10:59 a.m.
Sad!
Any updates? Did he have family?
Sept. 13, 2011 at 5:53 p.m.
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