17-year-old shot, killed in Lake L.A.

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Saturday, July 4, 2009.

By JULIE DRAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer

LAKE LOS ANGELES - A teenage boy was fatally shot Thursday night in Lake Los Angeles, according to sheriff's deputies.

The shooting death occurred in the 17000 block of Coolwater Avenue and was reported about 11 p.m. Thursday, said Deputy Jeff Gordon.

The victim, identified by Los Angeles County Coroner's officials as Sergio Santiago, 17, was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Gordon said.

The investigation was continuing. Anyone with information can call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Thursday's shooting death was the first homicide in Lake Los Angeles since Jeremy Mancera, 19, was shot to death.

Mancera was found wounded Feb. 3, 2008, on a sidewalk at the rear of his vehicle in the 41700 block of 170th Street East. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Nobody is in custody in Mancera's death and the motive is undetermined, according to sheriff's records.

jdrake@avpress.com