Augmented by a $10,000 reward offer, the search will continue today for the gunman who shot two brothers of a Compton city councilman in East L.A., killing one of them in what authorities call a targeted gang attack but that the councilman describes as a case of mistaken identity.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $10,000 reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman who shot Councilmember Isaac Galvan’s brothers. Supervisor Hilda Solis authored the motion.
Compton Mayor Aja Brown Tuesday issued a statement in support of Galvan.
“The Compton City Council joins with our residents in mourning the loss of Councilmember Isaac Galvan’s brother and in extending our thoughts, prayers and love to his mother, his brother’s children and entire family.
“We also hope for a quick recovery for his injured brother. Compton stands with East L.A. residents in the fight against gun violence.”
The shooting took place in the 900 block of South La Verne Avenue just after noon Monday, said sheriff’s Deputy Mike Barraza. Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan announced on his Facebook page Monday afternoon that his brothers Dennis and Larry (Lorenzo) Galvan had been shot in front of his mother’s house, and Larry had been killed.
“I’m glad my little brother Dennis was able to go home today by only being shot in the foot,” Galvan wrote. “I’m sad to say my other little brother Larry did not make it.
“He was shot multiple times in the chest and died of cardiac arrest. I really want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my family.”
Galvan said the death of his 27-year-old brother “will not be in vain. He leaves behind three brothers, a mother, many friends and three beautiful children who through their lives, his memory will live on.”
Galvan told reporters outside his mother’s home Tuesday that the shooting of his brothers was a case of mistaken identity.
“My brothers are not gang members,” Galvan said. “They had their flaws but they are not gang members.”
In response to a question as to whether someone was out to get his brothers, Galvan adamantly responded, “Absolutely not.”
The two Galvan brothers were walking south on La Verne Avenue when a man walked up, pulled out a gun and shot them, Barraza said. They were taken to a hospital, where Larry Galvan died.
The gunman fled the scene in an SUV headed north on La Verne Avenue. The shooting of Galvan’s brothers appeared “gang-related and targeted,” according to the sheriff’s department.
Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. All tips can be submitted anonymously.
