Pedro Aguilar, a 53-year-old Latino, tragically lost his life on September 29, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. The incident occurred in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, specifically in the 100 block of South Pecan Street. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Aguilar was involved in an argument in the front yard of a home on September 24, 2016, around 4:25 a.m. The altercation escalated when the other individual involved pulled out a gun and shot Aguilar.
Despite being rushed to a hospital, Aguilar succumbed to his injuries five days later, on September 29, at 9:17 a.m.
The investigation into Aguilar's death led to the arrest of Jose Torres, a 22-year-old Latino. Torres was apprehended on October 19, 2016, on suspicion of murder. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office subsequently charged Torres with one count of murder and two counts of carrying an unregistered loaded handgun. On November 17, 2016, Torres pleaded not guilty to the charges. His case was scheduled to continue in court on January 20, 2017.
The Los Angeles Police Department's Hollenbeck Division homicide detectives were actively involved in the investigation. They urged anyone with additional information to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in the community and the efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families.
