Homicide Report > Gene Valdez, 18
Gene Valdez, 18
Died April 26, 2009 at 2:31 a.m.
Gene Valdez, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot multiple times and killed by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies Sunday, April 26, in the 800 block of North Santa Fe Avenue in Compton, authorities said.
According to sheriff's officials, Valdez had robbed a fast-food restaurant in the 500 block of East Rosecrans Avenue about 2:20 a.m. before fleeing the location. A witness to the robbery flagged down deputies responding to the call and directed them to Valdez, sheriff's officials said.
Deputies chased Valdez on foot. In the 800 block of North Santa Fe Avenue, "The suspect turned and faced them, pointing what appeared to be a black, semi-automatic handgun," according to a sheriff’s statement.
Two deputies shot Valdez multiple times in the upper torso and he died at the scene. The deputies later discovered that the man’s weapon was a replica of a semi-automatic pistol, the sheriff’s statement said.
Internal affairs and homicide investigators are interviewing the two deputies about the shooting, said sheriff’s spokesman Oscar Butao.
— Ari B. Bloomekatz
- Neighborhood: Compton
- Age: 18
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Sunday
- Agency: LASD Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
Two reader comments about Gene Valdez
Well its very sad to hear about this young kids death but i believe he is in a better place he was just crying out for help and took the easy way out by pointing to the officers i truly believe he wanted to die that day and chose to take that actions. Theres no one to blame here. May he rest in peace and you are in a better place
June 19, 2010 at 5 p.m.
may he rest in peace i sure do mis him, alot. R.I.P imy&&ily bro,<3 1-2-91 - 4-26-09..
April 24, 2011 at 9:34 p.m.
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