Crime & Safety

Vigil To Be held in Honor of Lynwood Murder Victim

Luis Valadez was shot and killed on November 20.

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It has been two weeks since   The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) Homicide Bureau has yet to arrest a suspect, but is following leads.

“We are looking for at least three males, and one female suspect,” said Detective Q. Rodriguez of the LASD. “We will soon release a composite sketch of a suspect that was involved.”

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Rodriguez also told Patch that the LASD has the firearm that they think was used by the suspects, but do not rule out the existence of a second. The alleged murder, which took place at Las Palomas Meat Market in Long Beach Boulevard, is believed to have happened during a commercial armed robbery.

“The evidence appears to show that the suspects shot the victim during an armed robbery,” said Rodriguez. “He suffered at least one gunshot wound.”

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On November 20,2012, Valadez was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood at around 7:00 p.m.  Leaving behind his wife of forty years, four children and six  grandchildren.

Investigators have not figured out why the suspects decided to shoot Valadez during the robbery.

“We do not know the specific reason as to why they felt that they had to shoot him,” said Rodriguez.

The Valadez family has been hit hard by this sudden loss.

“This was a devastating piece of news for my family,” said David Valadez, 24, the youngest child of victim and current employee of Univision. “I feel destroyed.”

David performed the difficult task of cleaning up the store after the shooting death of his father, who happened to be months away from retiring.

“I do not wish this upon my greatest enemies,” said David, who in July also lost a brother due to illness.

Friends have already turned the outside of La Paloma into a memorial for Valadez. The entrance to the meat market is adorned with flowers, candles and various handmade signs. Neighbors are also planning to host a vigil in front of Las Palomas on Wednesday evening.

David also told Patch that his father gave financial credits to a lot of his needy customers despite having weak sales at his market.

“That is something that I did not know about my father,” said David, who recently stumbled upon the various credit notes. “That was a very human gesture.”

The LASD are urging witnesses to please come forward with any information that can help them arrest the suspects.  Especially because they have been told that many people could have information.

“We are learning through anonymous informants that several civilian witnesses saw the suspects running away from the scene,” said Rodriguez of the LASD.

Those who wish to attend the vigil on Wednesday at Las Palomas Meat Market should arrive at 6:00 p.m. The latter is located at 12401 Long Beach Boulevard.

Anyone with information on this homicide is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who wish to provide a written tip can also do so by submitting it to http://lacrimestoppers.org. You may also text the letters TIPLA along with the tip to CRIMES (274637). 


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