Francisco Ortega, 31

Died June 8, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.

Francisco Ortega, a 31-year-old Latino, died Tuesday, June 8, in the 1100 block of West 54th Street in Vermont Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ortega was assaulted in the front yard of a residence by three suspects about 5:55 p.m., according to an LAPD news release.

Authorities were called and Ortega was taken to California Hospital Medical Center where he died at 8:12 p.m. According to preliminary information provided by the coroner's office, Ortega suffered blunt-force trauma to the head.

Ortega's cause of death has since been deferred, and results will not be available for another six to eight weeks, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.

When officers arrived at the incident location, they arrested two adults, and after searching the area, also arrested a juvenile, police said.

The assailants have been identified as John Ramirez, a 22-year-old Latino; Raul Gaspar, a 20-year-old Latino; and a 17-year-old juvenile.

Authorities said Ramirez and Gaspar are from Los Angeles, and the juvenile is from Texas.

The juvenile has been charged with murder and is being held without bail at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, police said.

Both men have also been charged with murder and are being held without bail. Ramirez is at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic while Gaspar is at the Inmate Reception Center in downtown, according to the Sheriff Inmate Information site.

Ramirez and Gaspar are scheduled to appear in court June 23 in Torrance.

— Sarah Ardalani