Balam99
On my way!
Joined: Mar 11 2008
Posts: 934
Location: WestLosAngeles
 
 1023.78
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 View Single Post Posted: Thu, Jun 26 2008, 4:30 PM Post subject: Shootings by taggers have become more common
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An auto body shop owner shot in the chest Wednesday during a confrontation with gang-affiliated taggers who had scrawled graffiti on his Hollywood business was in stable condition today, according to authorities and the man's brother.
The midday incident took place in the 5000 block of Hollywood Boulevard shortly after 1 p.m. when workers at the business spotted taggers painting a side wall with 6-foot high black letters and told the owner.
The man and his employees were writing down license plate information when the alleged taggers got out of their car, said LAPD Sgt. Alfredo Flores. The owner told the two youths --described as white males, each not much taller than 5 feet -- not to tag his property, Flores said. One of the youths pulled out a handgun, shot the man in the chest and then got back in the car and drove away.
Authorities said the youths are believed to have ties to a local gang, known as Armenian Power. Surveillance video from the shop is being used by detectives who said they think they have identified the youths and are searching for them now, said LAPD Cmdr. Pat Gannon.
"Shootings by taggers have become more common, Flores said."
Last year, two women were killed in separate shootings involving taggers. A retired Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was stabbed after he confronted a tagger behind a Huntington Beach pet store. The retired deputy fired five gunshots at the vandal but missed; he recovered from the stabbing.
Maria Elena Hicks, 57, was fatally shot in the head after she flashed her lights and honked at a tagger near her home in Pico Rivera last Aug. 10. Four suspects, ranging in age from 16 to 21, were charged in connection with the shooting.
Ten days after Hicks was shot, Seutatia Tausili, 65, was shot and killed in Hesperia, Calif., after she and her family questioned taggers spray-painting trash cans and the wall of their apartment building. At least three men were arrested in the shootings.
Los Angeles police advised residents that taggers, even those who seem like young kids, are often armed and can be dangerous.
"They're out there tagging, they're criminals," Flores said. "Call the police. Get the most info as you can, be the best witness, be involved in your community, take a stand."
Flores stressed that by taking a stand he meant residents should keep police informed, not confront taggers themselves.
http://www.latimes.com/news/lo.....0193.story
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