Manuel Edgar Palacios, a 41-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed on November 24, 2002, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Coroner records state he was standing on the sidewalk unloading groceries from his vehicle when gunfire struck him; his wife and two sons were nearby. He was not affiliated with any gang.

The shooting took place during an exchange between two rival gangs, Varrio Nueva Estrada (VNE) and the Eighth Street Gang (ESG). Days earlier an ESG member had shot at Martin Gonzalez and another person connected to VNE. In retaliation Gonzalez returned to the park with two VNE members, including Francisco Villa, who reportedly carried an assault rifle concealed in a guitar case and fired toward apartments across the street from the park. Palacios was hit and died at the scene.

Francisco Villa was arrested, convicted on counts including first-degree murder, and the jury found he discharged a firearm causing death and committed the crimes for the benefit of a criminal street gang; he received consecutive sentences including life without parole plus enhancements. Does anyone have information about Palacios or recollections from Boyle Heights in late November 2002?