Martin Garcia, 17

Died Sept. 15, 2007 at 7:27 p.m.

Martin Garcia, a Latino youth, 17 years old, was shot at 20420 Western Ave. in LAPD's Harbor area, and was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he died. The suspects were two Latino men or youths with shaved heads in a silver minivan. "Where are you from?" they demanded.

His case highlights the ambiguity of so-called "gang-related" homicides, a loose term at best that tends to paint victims with a single, broad brush. Police had documented Garcia as a gang member. But that was mainly because of whom he knew, said Det. David Cortez of LAPD's Harbor station.

He had grown up in the neighborhood, and was surrounded by gang members from early childhood, so it was not unnatural for him to know and associate with them, Cortez said. But Garcia was not considered to be deeply involved in gang life, and he had no criminal record to speak of, Cortez said. He had gone to Narbonne High, then a continuation school.

When his killers demanded his gang affiliation, Martin tried to tell them he didn't have one. He did call out after they shot him, though—not for his gang, but for his mother. "Mom, mom! I'm shot!" he reportedly said before dying, according to Cortez.

Harbor detectives want tips. Call (310) 522-2036.