Shooting death likely gang-related
Police continue to investigate incident in which man is shot several times at Forest Lawn cemetery.
By Chris Wiebe
GLENDALE NEWS-PRESS
Published Wednesday, January 2, 2008 10:15 PM PST
GLENDALE — Police said gang violence is likely the cause of the first reported homicide of the year in Los Angeles County, a shooting death at Forest Lawn cemetery on the Los Angeles-Glendale border.
Los Angeles resident Jason Grey, 29, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body at about noon Tuesday while he was at the cemetery on South Glendale Avenue, Los Angeles Police Officer Ana Aguirre said.
“It is being described as a gang-related motive, but that’s pretty much all we have,” she said.
Police are unsure why Grey was at the cemetery, Los Angeles Police Officer Karen Smith said.
Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office officials were slated to conduct an autopsy Wednesday, said Lt. Cheryl MacWillie, of the coroner’s office.
Glendale police were the first to receive a call alerting them to the shooting on Tuesday, but responding officers turned the investigation over to the Los Angeles Police Department because the crime scene fell on the Los Angeles side of the park, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.
Cemetery officials would not comment, deferring all calls to the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday, Forest Lawn spokesman Bill Martin said.
Residents describe the neighborhood adjacent to the cemetery as relatively safe, with a history of community activism on several blocks, including Colby Drive and Adams Street.
Since the circumstances of the shooting are uncertain, some wonder if whether illegal activities are occurring on cemetery grounds.
“What ran through my mind was, ‘Is that a safe haven, where people are making drug deals?’” said Glendale resident Julie Lazer, 56. “I mean I really don’t know.”
The crime occurred at an esteemed and popular memorial park, where many residents take guests from out of town for the tranquil atmosphere and scenic views, Lazer said.
“The area has been pretty safe,” she said.
But some nearby streets have had problems in the past, she said.
About a year ago, neighbors near Adams banded together to put pressure on a landlord who owned a property where reported gang members were congregating, she said.
The landlord cleaned up the property, banishing much of the criminal element from the area and residents have since held regular community meetings to discuss neighborhood issues and concerns, Lazer added.
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