Eduardo Mendoza Murder: LAPS Seek Leads Teen Fatally Shot in Panorama City

Panorama City:

Detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old teen on the sidewalk in front of 14811 Parthenia Street on March 29, 2013.

Witnesses called police just after 7 PM, reporting shots fired and a person wounded. “Several neighbors called 9-1-1 reporting gunfire in the area,” said Capt. Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of the Mission Area Police Station. “Several local residents deserve credit for stepping up in this tragic case.”

According to detectives, witnesses came out of their apartments and gave aid to the shot teen, identified as Eduardo Mendoza. Other witnesses followed the shooter, who ran into a nearby wash.

“One witness said he was so upset with the shooting in broad daylight that he decided to help police, which was something he generally wouldn’t do,” Capt. Chamberlain explained. “Police could have a greater impact on violent crime if more people were willing to come forward like that.”

Witnesses pointed arriving police officers to the nearby wash, 200 yards west of the shooting. Officers found a 17-year-old boy hiding under a blanket, inside a drain conduit that emptied into the wash, which runs under Parthenia Street. The suspect surrendered and officers found a handgun lying beneath the teen’s body.

The arrested teen had no criminal record, nor recorded associations with gangs. He had been sleeping in the wash where he was found after leaving home over a dispute with his stepfather.

Eduardo Mendoza lived two blocks away with this mother. Police records showed he had associations with a local gang and tagger crew. He was shot multiple times and died at the hospital.

The teen shooter was booked for murder and detained without bail at the local juvenile facility.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Gretchen Schultz, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9952. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimes Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

–Source: Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations