Deputies said the teen was killed in what looked like a random drive-by shooting.
The shooting happened just before 11 p.m. on the 4000 block of Zola Avenue. Velazquez had just walked a friend home and was only about a block away from his home when he was shot. His friend was narrowly missed by the gunfire.
Investigators said they don't believe that the victim was involved in a gang, but their suspects are gang members.
The victim's father, Jose Velazquez, was at work when he got the sad news. As he deals with the loss of his only son, the father said he doesn't want his son's death to be in vain.
The father said there is heavy gang activity in the area. He said that he was in a gang as a teenager and made sure his son was not involved in gangs. He had hopes that his son would grow up to join the police department.
"I just want to tell the parents out there to please take care of your kids and love them. Keep an eye on them, talk to them, be patient with them and keep them around the house. These areas, there are a lot of knuckleheads out here doing things that they don't even know what they're doing. They're just shooting innocent kids. So just be with your kids and love them," said the victim's father.
Authorities said they are searching for three hispanic males, and the suspect vehicle may be a tan Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV.
Anyone with information was urged to call the /*Los Angeles County Sheriff*/'s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
