Vallan Clinton Gavilan Jr., a 21-year-old aspiring bodybuilder, was tragically shot and killed on March 26, 2016, in the Vermont Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. while Gavilan was standing near his Chevy Malibu on the 400 block of West 87th Street. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, an unknown assailant drove by and fired multiple rounds at Gavilan. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m.
The gunman fled the scene in a light-colored vehicle, heading south on South Flower Street.
The Los Angeles Police Department's South Bureau Criminal Gang Homicide Division has been investigating the case, but details remain scarce. Detectives have noted that the lack of information is not unusual for the area, as residents often fear gang-related retaliation if they come forward. Gavilan's family has been vocal about their loss, with his mother, Joy Franklin Gavilan, expressing deep sorrow over the senseless murder of her son. His father, Vallan Gavilan Sr., mentioned that he had spoken to his son just hours before the shooting, making the news even more devastating.
Despite the family's efforts to seek justice, including public appeals and a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, no suspects have been apprehended. The LAPD continues to urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that informants should be seen as heroes rather than snitches. The case remains a stark reminder of the violence that plagues South Los Angeles, and the Gavilan family continues to hope for closure and justice for Vallan.
