Homicide Report > Leonel Mateos, 20 [Updated]
Leonel Mateos, 20 [Updated]
Died Aug. 28, 2010 at 7:09 p.m.
Leonel Mateos, a 20-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by Los Angeles police Saturday, Aug. 28, near Washington Boulevard and Arlington Avenue in Arlington Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Mateos was shot several times in the street about 7:05 p.m., said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Times has contacted LAPD Force investigators to get more information about the incident and will provide details as soon as they become available.
[Updated Sept. 16: LAPD officers found Mateos standing in the street after getting a call reporting an “assault with a deadly weapon, suspect there now,” according to an LAPD news release.
At the scene, the officers said they observed Mateos striking the driver's side window of a stopped car with what they believed to be a handgun. There were two people inside the vehicle.
At that point, Officer Shane Bau and his partner, who was not identified in the release, shot Mateos, authorities said. Bau is a 10-year LAPD veteran, according to the news release.
After the shooting, authorities determined Mateos was wielding a wooden baseball bat, not a gun. The bat was recovered at the scene.
The LAPD Force Investigation Division is continuing to probe the incident.]
— Sarah Ardalani
- Neighborhood: Arlington Heights
- Age: 20
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Saturday
- Agency: LAPD Force Investigation
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
- Crime scene: Public place
22 reader comments about Leonel Mateos
I dont have a clue what happend but is that 18th street hood?
Sept. 1, 2010 at 6:19 p.m.
yeah 18th st hood right there
Sept. 2, 2010 at 10:09 a.m.
I don't think thats 18 street hood its either crazyriders,harpys 5th aves, drifters, black p stones,ms, tik, who the hell knows nowadays the bottom line is he got caught slippin & hes 6 feet under now.
Sept. 2, 2010 at 11:59 a.m.
LOL, dont u guys have anything else to do with youR lives, other than sitting at the cpu searching through the LAT homicide report, trying to find a topic to talk about? That is so sad. Go on a date, get a job, catch a ball game, go fishing, jezz go get laid or something. ITS PATHETIC!!!!!
Sept. 2, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.
Homeboy wasnt caught slippin..someone ratted to the cops saying he had a weapon and the cops came and shot him and left him there
Sept. 2, 2010 at 10:25 p.m.
@ Maville,
And what your doing is somehow different than what your whining about others doing with their time?
Sept. 3, 2010 at 7:23 a.m.
— David, now how do you know that? Were you with him when he was shot?
Or are you repeating rumor with no basis in fact?
Sept. 3, 2010 at 10:06 a.m.
He saw his mother with a man that wasn't his father. He tried to confront his mother and the man. They called the police when they felt threatened. They never imagined the cops would arrive with no warning and shoot him from the back. He wasn't a gang member or a drug dealer. He was a bright young man with his whole life ahead of him. Had he lived a few more days he would've gotten the amazing news that he would soon be a FATHER. He was shot and killed by the LAPD Olympic division, and there was never any weapon found. His last words were, "pa!" Spanish for dad.
These are facts, from a very destroyed family member. We are looking for justice, he didn't deserve to die this way!!! Anyone who witnessed or knows of a person who was spotted video taping this tragic scene, please try and contact the family!!!
Thank you!!!
Sept. 4, 2010 at 12:29 a.m.
— RIP Leo, if what you say is true, then this is a sad story.
But I don't believe the part where the police shot him in the back. He was most probably in an agitated state when the police came and he just did something "stupid" that the police thought was an aggressive action.
Sad anyway you look at it.
Sept. 4, 2010 at 9:52 a.m.
I never had the opportunity to now better leonel, i do know that every morning at work he used to smile and say good mornig to me, the way a polite good kid allways does, very respectfull young kidd, RIP LEO!
Sept. 4, 2010 at 2:21 p.m.
rest in peace Leo
we will never forget.
Sept. 4, 2010 at 8:15 p.m.
That's not a 18th Street's hood ... It's Rollin' 20's (Bloods) hood
The nearest 18th Street hood would be the West Adams area with Alsace and Smiley
... but he didn't die by a gangbanger though. This was with the LAPD
Sept. 7, 2010 at 7:14 a.m.
How sad I knew this guy since I was 5 went to school with him and even got to graduate with him! He was so nice and I feel really sad for what happen, I just had a baby and I could only imagine him being happy fir his little blessing he has on his way we will miss you Leo!!!!
Sept. 7, 2010 at 7:58 p.m.
I dont know what else to say. I am speechless. Know him since way back when now to think he aint around. REST IN PARADISE LEO YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Sept. 8, 2010 at 3:31 p.m.
I was there when it happened but didnt see enough to officially report anything. What I saw: a guy on the phone in a maroon jeep surrounded by 3 guys who were blocking him from driving forward. One (apparently Leonel) was screaming at the driver's side window and beating the window. I never saw a weapon, just fists and alot of rage. Lots of bystanders, I was stuck in the intersection when the cops showed up, the one officer came out with his gun drawn and I heard shots being fired. Around that time the bystanders cleared and I got outta there.
Like I said- my vantage point was limited and I didn't see him getting hit- only the officer firing, but I never saw Leo with a weapon.
My condolences to the family. To the LAPD- I know they make lots of mistakes but I believe the majority of officer's hearts are in the right place, and if they find out otherwise in this case I hope the family gets the justice they deserve. (My 2 cents)
Sept. 8, 2010 at 10:51 p.m.
Dave, or anyone who witnessed the shooting at Arlington and Washington, the family is being represented by the law firm of Moreno, Becerra and Casillas. We would appreciate anyone who witnessed the shooting to please call our office at 866-800-7878. Thank you!
Sept. 21, 2010 at 5:37 p.m.
— Dave
Sept. 8, 2010 at 10:51 p.m.
If you wouldn't mind getting in contact with me I would like to ask for your help! There is a detective working on this case and he would like to ask you a few questions. Please email me at
justiceforleonel@gmail.com
Anyone with any information on this case or knows of anyone who might have been at the scene please contact me! Thank you!
Oct. 1, 2010 at 7:24 p.m.
PLEASE Email me if you have any info on this case!!! We are looking for witnesses!!!
justiceforleonel at gmail dot com
Thank you!!!
Oct. 8, 2010 at 3:04 p.m.
he kept touching his wrists. honour student. volunteered in a lot of places.... sad..
Feb. 25, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.
Frank...
Thanks for being honest and not making stuff up. I heard from another bystander that the guy who got shot had a small baton in his hand and was trying to break out the driver's window. Maybe the cops thought it was a gun. Sad for everyone if you ask me.
March 7, 2011 at 4:03 p.m.
Many of you have information that
does help to obtain justice for the family.
Even if you think what you saw is not good enough please email and we can talk on the phone. Case is pending in federal court and independent witnesses are always helpful to the jury. Please email
June 1, 2011 at 2:42 p.m.
leo was a real cool friend..i only got 2 know him for a couple of months but for those couple of months we had a good time..when i found out about this i was shocked.i would have never thought this would have happened 2 him..he had a whole life a head of him..R.I.P LEO AKA LOW..
Aug. 3, 2011 at 4:59 a.m.
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