Homicide Report > Thomas Valdez, 30
Thomas Valdez, 30
Died July 15, 2011
Thomas Valdez, a 30-year-old Latino, was fatally shot Friday, July 15, in the 12100 block of Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Officers responded about 10 p.m. to reports of a shooting at the VIP Showgirls Club. When they arrived, they found Valdez with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement.
Detectives believe Valdez was involved in a dispute with another man, who pulled a gun and shot Valdez multiple times. He was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. No other injuries were reported inside the club, according to police.
The gunman ran from the scene with his girlfriend, an employee of the club, after the shooting, police said, and the couple were later detained by officers in a nearby park.
Forte Ramonta, a 30-year-old Latino from North Hollywood, has been booked on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $1-million bail. His girlfriend, Ana Baez, a 22-year-old Latina, was booked on suspicion of accessory to murder and is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Nine homicides have occurred since 2007 within a mile of the shooting, according to The Times' Homicide Report.
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact LAPD Det. Mark O'Donnell or Det. Steve Castro at (818) 623-4075. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
— Ruben Vives
- Neighborhood: North Hollywood
- Age: 30
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Friday
- Agency: LAPD North Hollywood
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
- Circumstance: Fight
- Crime scene: Commercial building
Eight reader comments about Thomas Valdez
R.I.P Tommy. Tommy was father to 7 children and step father to one. He was a great dad, husband, brother, son, nephew and he didnt deserve to be taken away from his family. May he rest in peace.
July 25, 2011 at 11:51 a.m.
@-anonymous,
If he was such a great dad and husband as you say, what was he doing at the VIP Showgirls Club that late at night?
July 26, 2011 at 11:49 p.m.
R.I.P. Tommy you will be missed I will always be grateful for being there whenever I needed a friend my condolences to your mother and children.
July 27, 2011 at 2:05 p.m.
callitlikeiseeit - going to a strip club doesn't mean that he wasn't a good father, husband, or person...
And when did 10pm on a Friday become "that late at night"?? People all over the country are out at that time on a Friday. Some are just leaving their house at that time to go out. Does that make them bad people for doing so?
July 28, 2011 at 11:43 a.m.
— Ceace
I agree.
July 29, 2011 at 9:54 a.m.
Well, you see where that got him...
Aug. 1, 2011 at 10:59 p.m.
Tommy was a great guy.. i have been looking for him for the past 2 months... Hes a wonderful father and was there for me when i really needed him... His children should not have to be away from their father at such a young age. Regardless of the decisions he made, Thomas was a wonderful man... RIP Hyper... <3
Aug. 2, 2011 at 3:38 p.m.
i will always have u in my memories...i will always have u in my heart...for those times we spent together u were great..and i will pray for you to have peace...i miss you!!!
Aug. 5, 2011 at 11:38 p.m.
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