Homicide Report > Hector Barraza, 20 [Updated]
Hector Barraza, 20 [Updated]
Died Aug. 27, 2010 at 7:09 p.m.
Hector Barraza, a 20-year-old Latino, was found shot to death Friday, Aug. 27, in the 100 block of South Alameda Street in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Barraza's body was discovered on the street by authorities at 7:09 p.m., said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff homicide Det. Rich Ramirez, who is handling the investigation, said deputies discovered Barraza after getting a call reporting shots fired.
Investigators do not have a description of the possible assailant. The incident is believed to be gang-related, Ramirez said.
Anyone with information about Barraza's death is asked to contact Det. Ramirez at (323) 890-5500.
[Update Feb. 4: With help from the public, authorities were able to arrest a 17-year-old Latino last month in connection with Barraza's death. Since he is a juvenile, his name cannot be released, officials said.
Det. Ramirez said the alleged assailant has been charged with murder.
When asked why Barraza was shot, Ramirez cited a gang rivalry between the victim and the 17-year-old.]
— Sarah Ardalani
21 reader comments about Hector Barraza
birthing a new compton is the city motto these days... some people dont want the change as we can see..
Sept. 1, 2010 at 6:23 p.m.
— 562vert, nothing will ever change in Compton.
It has a critical mass of gangsters and gang enablers who will always find a reason to keep the city as a killing zone.
That and elected officials who blame everyone else but themselves.
Sept. 1, 2010 at 9:50 p.m.
My mother worked as an RN in Compton back in the seventies when she first migrated from London, England to LA. To this day she has nothing but good things to say about her experience there. Obviously the community has deteriorated since then, but I'm optimistic that it's not to late to change Compton. Look at New York City back in the early 90's: They experienced an all time high 2,000 homicides in 1 year! Rudy Giuliani (who was the DA at the time) using the "broken window theory" approach to his policing lowered homicide rates to historical lows. Compton is only 10 square miles! LA should be ashamed of themselves for allowing crime to spiral out of control for such a long time.
Sept. 2, 2010 at 4:35 p.m.
he was a great person
Sept. 4, 2010 at 4:51 p.m.
hey man its not all bad ,yeah its run by gangs but crime is down its still not safe to be out at night but man no where is in LA u no what im saying i grew up in chicargo and that city to me is the most dangerous place on the planet man the gangbangers there r worse that what we got here .dam
Sept. 5, 2010 at 5:07 a.m.
straight outta compton this is the way of life
Sept. 5, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
Hector was a young man with so much devotion.He always brought out the best in one and always put a smile on our faces.I never saw him with a frown or anything that's how I will remember him.Its hard to see you gone,you truly wounded many hearts the day you parted but in our hearts you will always remain.May you rest in peace now.We love u!!
Sept. 5, 2010 at 12:52 p.m.
So what was the reason Mr. Barraza was murdered? Gang related? Crime of passion? Wrong place at the wrong time?
Sept. 5, 2010 at 2:41 p.m.
I worked with Hector through a youth program when he was in high school. He really made me smile every time he came in to the office. He never missed a day and his goal had been to join the Army but for one reason or another he did not. Maybe if he had he would still be alive or maybe seen as a hero for dying "defending" the country. RIP Hector and may God give your mom the courage to accept that you are no longer with her.
Sept. 14, 2010 at 2:17 p.m.
I went to school with Hector and he was a very nice guy.... he always had a smile on his face.. he will be missed
Sept. 24, 2010 at 8:41 a.m.
Hector was my best guy friends brother. I always heard stories about him and he seemed like a cool guy. even tho i never really knew him i'll still misss him. R.I.P Hector Barraza
Sept. 29, 2010 at 7:09 p.m.
Hector was like a brother to me and we sure are going to miss him. I remember when we were younger growin' up. Our family was devastated but we know he's in a better place. :)
Oct. 5, 2010 at 11:50 a.m.
Hector is my cousin....... and I miss him so much.... he was like my oldest brother trying to take care of me....I dont know why this had happen to our family...I just want to know who did it and that they get their punishment.
Oct. 5, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.
Hector was no gang member that's for sure he was my friend since the 9th grade. He was shot on his way home from work so yes at the wrong place at the wrong time. If you don't know his story please don't make any comments. Today is your birthday my friend I wish you could have been here with us to celebrate ur 21st. Jesse misses you so much and every time I see your son my heart aches cuz he's not gonna know the good person that u were. Hector we all miss u dearly. But at least u r in a better place in peace.. R.I.P. +HECTOR MANUEL BARRAZA+
Oct. 22, 2010 at 4:38 p.m.
what is the police doin about this hub wants to no what are day doin the police need to get up and stop eating dounsa and do something about this ...now
Dec. 2, 2010 at 3:56 a.m.
— juan, just what do you want them to do? You have gangsters and their enablers who celebrate a gang culture thats based on terror and death. You have a polulace that either doesnt care or is terrorised into not helping the police. You have decades of failed civic leadership. And you have the same voters who decade after decade, elect the same do nothing politicians.
Juan, nothing is going to change in Compton. Its dysfunctional to the core.
Dec. 2, 2010 at 10:36 a.m.
I am one of Hectors childhood friends and is still like a brother to me and my younger sibling. We grew up together with him, the rest of his family, and his close friends. He was quite the funny guy and always cheered people around him. And with all do respect to the commenter who posted on "people not wanting to change", the issues in low income communities are quite complicated. People of color deal with insersectionality, meaning, racism, sexism, lack of relative material resources, and this is just the major obstacles at the core of not just my friend Hector's walk of life but also the manny underrepresented communities across our "Great" Nation. The issues that are easily swept under the rug and called "unwillingness to change", "laziness", the list goes on. The tragedy of my friend becomes one more untold story within our streets, our neighborhoods, our barrios. The story like that of Hector ends up within the shadows of the injustices that the dominant elite class title "dangerous city", "dangerous people", a "dangerous caste of people". The lost of Hector is not the fault to gangs or the lack of the police department not doing anything, it is instead the fault of a structurally violent system that sets up individuals like my friend Hector to fail. The critique ends here. I will miss you very much Hector as will everyone especially your mother. No one ever really knows what another person goes through because not everyones reality is anothers. Rest In Peace. You will not be forgotten.
Best your childhood friend,
El Gordo
Dec. 17, 2010 at 11:29 p.m.
I want to inform to all the people who have comment about my cousin incident that the investigator have done their job in this case because they have caught the person who kill my cousin....my family and I have been to court and have seen his face already.....its so hard for us to believe that a 17 year old took my cousin life and left us suffer...
Feb. 3, 2011 at 9:15 p.m.
— Maritza ... please keep us informed. Even though he is 17 years old, his name might be made available for the public.
Was the accused indeed a gangster?
Feb. 4, 2011 at 10:55 a.m.
-Maritza thats good to hear that they caught this kid.. please do keep us posted
Feb. 23, 2011 at 2:48 p.m.
well i didnt know HECTOR but i waz driving by were the incedent happened and seen anbulace and police were there and felt really bad about it and the reason for that is cuz i have the same name as hector but R.I.P Tocayo
Dec. 31, 2011 at 6:37 a.m.
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