Ernesto Topete, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot and killed on July 4, 2014, in Compton, California. The shooting happened about 8:45 p.m. on the 1100 block of West 131st Street when Topete was standing in front of a home and a passing vehicle stopped and someone inside opened fire. Another man was wounded and survived; Topete was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 10:17 p.m.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated but did not have a description of the vehicle, and no arrests have been made. Family and friends remembered Topete as kind and happy and said he was not involved in gang activity. His loved ones continue to seek justice while the community highlights ongoing concerns about violence in Compton.

If anyone has information about the shooting that could help the investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers.