Michael Echevrria, 20

I was his teacher one summer at Wilson High School and he was a very respectful young man. He was a very optimistic person and was looking forward to graduating this year. He did not deserve to die. He really wanted so much out of life. I hope his killer gets caught.
My condolences go out to the family. You will be dearly missed.

It is heartbreaking to lose Michael this way. Yet I know that he is not a lost soul. Michael gave his life to Jesus Christ during a youth summer camp in 2006. His life drastically changed as he became a new person in every way. He was loving and respectful.

Unfortunately, he had many factors working against him in the community that made him a high-risk youth. I pray that God may find and bring the assailants to repentance and forgiveness so that they may not be lost but be saved. I also pray for his family: Lisa, Eddie, and Ashley. May God comfort you.

This goes on far too often in the hoods of la county. Rip

It's so sad to know that when asked, "Where are you from?", from these low-life gang bangers it's no right or wrong answer period, because at that point it's to late for you, because they was planning to shoot or kill you anyway, the question seems to be pointless if there's no right or wrong answer, and the question is meant to get your attention before they shoot to kill, so you might as well just run for your life before they could finish the whole question, Right?. My condolence go out to the family of Mr Echevrria, and I pray that God bring you justice. "When did our youth stop fearing God, and knowing that killing someone is a sin?"

Hmmm... What do you think people? Maybe we need another gun law, or better yet how about two more? Maybe the gangsters will give up the guns. Oh wait... we have more gunlaws than almost any other state in the country, and our gun crime rate continue's to sky rocket! I would love to hear someone honestly say "gun laws work". Instead we will continue to be victim's to these animals, who have no regard for human life. When will people wake up?

Eye opener-What does anything in these comments have to do with gun laws in this state? Go peddle your crap somewhere else this isn't the place...

and for the record most people know gun laws in this state and city in particular have done nothing to curb the violence I just question why you decided to bring that up here

Gun laws are unfair "Jrock." Doesn't it seem that only gang members carry guns these days. Why can't regular citizens carry guns to protect themselves from these animals?? Even for honest non violent people it is impossible to get concealed gun permits. What is that?? Gang members are going to carry guns no matter what the laws are. So everyone else should be able to at least do it the legal way to protect themselves. I know this ain't the place to bring this "crap" up but it's true.

Yeah, let's eliminate the gun laws. Why don't we simply eliminate the laws and let all of you idiots shoot each other. Life would sure be a lot simpler for the rest of us.

man its true then everyone should have a gun! R.I.P MICHAEL

My heart goes out to the family of Michael, from the little time I have known him personally, very quiet. He is a friend of my son's that now I will need to worry about when they are walking around. He will never be forgotten, God Bless you Michael and sleep with the Angels.

My warmest condolences goes out to the family, I met Michael through my son and from the little time I've know him, very quiet young man. My son has been deeply sadden by the lost of his good friend. You will definitely be missed. Sleep with the Angels dear Michael.

Our heart goes out to Michaels Family we will all miss him I love him and his family since my daughters and I met him at church he was a very special person and my whole family is touched by his loss. We will always remember that great person and we know he is looking at us from heaven.

Jrock, I bring it up here because I did not read anywhere that Michael returned fire or defended him self in any way. "Crap"? What do you have againts facts?

Astounded, Are you saying everyone that has a firearm is an "idiot"? So the police are "IDIOTS"?

I Knew Michael and his Sisters when they attended the middle school I worked at. His Mother was a hard worker and wanted the best for her kid's. I wasn't aware of this site OR I would have posted something earlier. I worked with Michael in school, he was very quiet and respectful. I spoke to him a few days prior to his Murder. I felt so Terrible when I heard the Horrible news. My Son was Murdered a month ago as well, it angers me to know that these "Gangmembers" can decide to make the decision to end someones life. Who gives them the right to take someones life because of "Territory", "Neighborhood", or some other nonesense? It DOES NOT belong to them! So I ask myself "Why do they have this kind of Mentality?" I doubt anyone will ever be able to figure out this Selfish Hate these Individuals have in them. I Miss Michael and my Son so much!!!! Sometimes I feel like yelling out and going after these Monsters and asking them why they carry so much Anger, Hate, and Jealousy,.. or Whatever it is that is in them, or do they just want another notch on their belt to "Show-Off" to their "Homies." Why dont they go and fight the Real Enemies overseas, sign up in the Military, go to War and Help their Country! Although our Military only takes the 'Cream of the Crop', and its stands to reason that these Uneducated Creeps wouldn't and couldn't cut it anyways. They can Fire upon a defenseless individual/kid but would Shudder at the thought of being in ACTUAL COMBAT. COWARDS!

— Concerned Parent, these gangsters are sociopaths. They do not think like normal people.

The only way to deal with them is to be proactive in removing them from society as soon as possible. It's a wasted life for them, expensive for society. But how else are you going to solve it?

Whats worse is they tap into a cultural subset that glorifies and encourages their behavior. Their relatives are enablers in making excuses for their conduct. It seems that these types of people are like the barbarians who have gotten through the gates.

As I have stated many times the past few years on this blog, change is going to have to come from the people who live there. The choices are not happy ones, but until these choices are made, nothing is going to change.