Antonio Banda, a 23-year-old resident of Compton, California, tragically lost his life on July 10, 2017. Banda was visiting a friend, Carlos Velasquez, at the Westland Village Mobile Home Park on the night of July 9. The two men were inside a trailer when they were shot. Deputies responded to a call about a gunshot victim around 12:18 a.m. Upon arrival, they found both Banda and Velasquez with gunshot wounds.
Banda was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:33 a.m., while Velasquez, who was transported to a nearby hospital, was pronounced dead at 1:02 a.m. The Los Angeles County coroner's records confirmed these details.
The investigation revealed that both Banda and Velasquez had some involvement with a local street gang, leading investigators to believe that the shooting was gang-related. The shooter, described as a Latino adult, was last seen fleeing west through the mobile home park. Despite efforts by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, including calls for public assistance and anonymous tips, the case remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and the suspect's identity is still unknown.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the ongoing issues of gang violence in Compton. The Sheriff's Homicide Bureau continues to seek information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the bureau or Crime Stoppers to provide anonymous tips. The case remains open, with investigators hoping for a breakthrough that could bring justice to the families of Antonio Banda and Carlos Velasquez.
