Francisco Ponce, 17

Died Jan. 23, 2011

Francisco Ponce, identified by coroner's officials as a 17-year-old white male, died Sunday, Jan. 23, a day after he was shot near 49th Street and San Pedro Street in South Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

[Note: Although the coroner's office listed Ponce as white, Los Angeles Police Department officials say he was Latino.]

Police received a 911 call regarding a shooting about 11 p.m. Jan. 22, said LAPD Newton Det. J. Benavides, who is handling the case.

Authorities arrived and Ponce was taken to White Memorial Medical Center, where he died the next day. According to coroner's records, Ponce died from a gunshot wound.

During the investigation, detectives learned that Ponce was the victim of a drive-by shooting.

Officials said no arrests have been made in connection with the case. The shooter was described as a Latino in a white sport utility vehicle.

Ponce was a documented gang member, Benavides said, and the shooting was gang-related.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact Det. Benavides at (323) 846-6556. Tipsters who would like to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

[Editor's note: Ponce's death was not included in the Homicide Report last month. His death was added to the database after the Los Angeles Times learned of his killing from the LAPD.]

— Sarah Ardalani