Shooting of Man Last Week Might be Gang-Related

A 40-year-old man who was shot in the leg on Avenue 57 and Monte Vista Street last week is a resident of Highland Park and his shooting might be part of the gang violence that erupts in the neighborhood from time to time, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"We believe it may be gang-related," Larry Burcher, a detective in the gang unit of the LAPD's Northeast Division, told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch Monday, adding that because an investigation into the June 12 shooting is underway, there are "very little details I can release at this time."

Three shots were fired at the victim, Burcher said, and one of them hit him in the leg. The detective said he cannot discuss who fired the shots or how many suspects were behind the shooting, although he believes that everyone involved in the incident is a resident of Highland Park.

"Every shooting is serious," Burcher said, adding that details about the latest incident will be disclosed as detectives learn more about it.

On May 28, a 21-year-old Highland Park resident and confirmed gang member, Ernesto Ramirez, was shot to death on the 4700 block of Benner Street, near Avenue 57, in an area that is “home to several gangs, most notably the Avenues,” Northeast LAPD Capt. Jeff Bert told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch last month.