and that God will make (those responsible) pay for this for a long time.”
Martin was killed in almost the same fashion as Lopez. Police said he and some of his friends were walking along Pico Boulevard near Virginia Avenue Park on Dec. 27, 2006, at around 7 p.m., when a suspected gang member opened fire, striking Martin in the back as he attempted to run away. The Olympic High School graduate worked as a volunteer with the Police Activities League and was a frequent visitor to Virginia Avenue Park’s Teen Center.
Martin’s father, Lucio, had nothing but praise for law enforcement and thanked them for their work in finding those allegedly responsible for his son’s death. He said the pain of losing his son is still strong and is not sure if he will ever be able to recover, even if those arrested are tried and convicted.
“I can’t bring my kid back,” he said. “You think about it every day, that he’s no longer in your life. It hurts.”
‘A GREAT DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY’
City officials also praised law enforcement for their efforts, as well as those residents who came forward and provided information on the suspects. They hailed the arrests as a victory for peace in the Pico Neighborhood and Sunset Park, two areas which have been targeted by gang members from neighboring cities.
“This is a great day for the community,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Herb Katz.“I hope that what this means is people will continue to have faith in the justice system and our police department. I know people want to see arrests made right away, but sometimes these investigations take time.”
Councilman Bob Holbrook, who was mayor when Lopez was killed and attended a memorial at Samohi along with other city officials, said he hoped the arrests will make the community feel safer and motivate them to work more with the police to solve crimes.
“Sometimes it is difficult to get information because people are afraid or do not want to get involved, but when something like this happens, it just makes you more aware of the power we can have if we work together,” Holbrook said.
Councilman Kevin McKeown said the arrests were “good news for every kid in town.”
Pledging to “double our efforts,” schools Superintendent Diane Talarico said district officials are working aggressively with teachers and parents on a strategy to better address conflict and youth violence within the schools and at all grade levels.
“We need to ensure that our kids have the tools necessary to express themselves in a way that does not involve violence,” said Talarico, who was also present for the announcement. “Whenever a community loses someone through violence, it is difficult, but when it is a child, when it is their safety that has been compromised, that is cause for grave concern for the entire community.”
Jackman said he believes the arrests have marked a new a dramatic change in community/police relations and he plans to build upon this success.
“This isn’t done,” he said. “We will not let this pattern or terror to continue — not in this city.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 9, 2007. Read the original PDF.