Homicide Report > Luis Varela Jr., 29
Luis Varela Jr., 29
Died May 16, 2011
Luis Varela Jr., a 29-year-old Latino, died Monday, May 16, two days after he was shot by police in the 600 block of South Grand Avenue in Glendora, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
A Glendora police officer attempted to detain Varela on May 14 about 11 p.m., according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release. The officer believed Varela may have been involved in an armed robbery, which occurred earlier in the day at a Kohl's department store.
Authorities said that when police approached Varela, he pulled out a handgun and ran into a Ralph's grocery store. When the officer went after Varela, he allegedly fired his gun at the officer, officials said.
At that point, the officer fired his weapon at Varela, striking him in the head, according to coroner's records.
Paramedics called to the scene took Varela to a hospital where he remained until his death May 16 at 10:46 a.m.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
— Los Angeles Times
- Ruling: Not a homicide
- Neighborhood: Glendora
- Age: 29
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Monday
- Agency: LASD Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
- Crime scene: Commercial building
19 reader comments about Luis Varela Jr.
He was a very loving and caring son who unfortunately fell into the wrong hands. Grateful nobody else was hurt and now he rests in peace with his father and grandmother. Do not judge him unless you know the truth.
May 18, 2011 at 10:01 p.m.
Patricia, What is the truth then? Not judging anyone, but if anyone is accused of armed robbery, runs from police, points gun at police and shoots, what is anyone going to think of what type of life this person lived? With all due respect, it's obvious something was not right.... I think you said it yourself, " fell into the wrong hands".
May 20, 2011 at 9:59 a.m.
Sorry for your loss Patricia, but thank God no one else was hurt. Kudos to the LAPD for serving justice while protecting the innocent.
May 20, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.
Well since you opened the door Patricia, no one falls into the wrong hands at 29 one willingly walks into the door with eyes wide open and in control of the situation.
May 20, 2011 at 5:26 p.m.
I understand this was someones child. Running, resisting and lying is one thing. Sending lead downrange is another, some rounds grazed a car. I don't celebrate the killing, but it was needed to meet the threat. My condolences to the family, remember the community cares for the innocent.
May 21, 2011 at 8:33 p.m.
Mighty Mike, so killing a suspect is serving justice? How about if the LAPD had arrested the suspect and send him to jail.
May 23, 2011 at 10:28 a.m.
Sorry for your loss Patricia. Unfortunately your son made some very bad decisions. I'm glad no innocent bystanders was harmed by his actions. A simple case where an Officer involved shooting seems justified.
May 24, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
Patricia says 'Dont judge him'......Please, he is being judged right now in the theological place of eternal punishment. You have to raise your kids carefully, but you cannot always defend their wrong doings. He did something foul and paid.
May 26, 2011 at 2:38 p.m.
The failure to judge people who commit violent crimes, or live a sociopathic lifestyle is tacit approval for what they do.
May 26, 2011 at 10:57 p.m.
The most irritating person on this site is the most accurate, the last comment is right on the money.
jaydub
May 27, 2011 at 2:53 p.m.
— Jag .... once a suspect starts shooting at the police, that's usually a good indication that the person doesn't want to be captured and will kill other people to accomplish that idea.
May 28, 2011 at 7:25 a.m.
I am not going to attemp to justify the cause, if he would have wanted to hurt someone he was more than able to. We have become a society of judgement without knowing facts, we blame society, parents, Presidents. The media in this particular case (hahaha as in many) has reported incorrectly. *** Note to reporter, contact me for the right information and perhaps the story of your career.
July 12, 2011 at 11:14 p.m.
— PAT; so you are disputing the fact the deceased ran into a supermarket and took a shot at the police?
July 13, 2011 at 6:41 p.m.
well, i knew junior personally n for the life of me would have never ever thought he would be the person all the news reporters were describing or talking about..... to know him was to understand him. he made 1 wrong decision that cost him his life, did he deserve it....HELL NO!N COPS DIDNT STOP HIM HE STOPPED HIMSELF SO GET THAT RITE.....
Aug. 19, 2011 at 1:34 p.m.
@Adri a person doesn't just do something like this without having done other things first. We all know the cycle with crime and drugs. First you start with marijuana, then you go on to the next drug. First a person starts shop lifting, then into other crimes, then one day they find themselves running from the cops waving a handgun around.
Sept. 19, 2011 at 1:17 p.m.
lapd DIDNT didnt help at all!!! RIP JR
Sept. 25, 2011 at 8:10 p.m.
Don't JUDGE the man.May he rest in Peace....Cursed be the day Man took the shoes from GOD to play Judge and put Justice in his hand...This people are Not doing such violent act because they enjoy it,simply they need help!.....We should reach to our youngsters and teach them better,that crime doesn't pay.Specially holding a Gun....
Oct. 3, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
Nero,
What? The choices we make and the decisions we make and the judgements we make daily are what keeps some of us alive and out of trouble/jail and sometimes worst. Curse be the day that man took the shoes from God to play judge? If is wasn't for everyday man judging situations what kind of world would we live in? I tell my children every day before they leave for school behave, do good, be respecful and most importantly becareful! If they did what they wanted to out in the world everyday and forgot what I had just told them where would that leave civilization? How far back would go out there do what you want when you want to with out any reguards for anyone or any thing else set us?
Oct. 4, 2011 at 7:52 p.m.
I'll never forget this day because lives changed forever. I found myself gathering whatever strength I had left and trying to find the right words to tell my baby girl her daddy was dead. I was with this man for 12 years. We were high school sweet hearts. Soul mates. Please don't judge, unless you know all facts. I still don't understand and I'll never accept this horrendous final ending of a beautiful life, whom we still mourn for till this day. Nor will I ever believe he acted alone in these crimes. One thing I know for sure is that he fell into the wrong hands, was lied too and used until the very end. ALL who took part in this need to be prosecuted and brought fourth so that justice may be served. My heart, thoughts and prayers remain
with the workers, customers and everyone else that
witnessed those horrible events. I can't even imagine how
you felt at the time, but I am glad no one else was hurt.
Left behind is a family deeply saddened and a 9 year old
daughter who will grow up without her daddy. Her world
shattered forever. One day she will be old enough to know
the truth. I fear this day so Im kindly asking all future
people who post to choose words kindly please. For all
others who claim to have known him so well but only knew him one month, stop commenting as well for all obvious reasons. God bless
Dec. 2, 2011 at 2:48 a.m.
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