Deputies said the man was run over by the vehicle in the 1800 block of Wickshire Avenue just before 10 p.m. Sunday. Residents say the victim lives in the area and was walking home from his grandfather's house when a beige SUV and a BMW pulled up. Words were exchanged, and then the suspects got out of the vehicles and attacked the victim.
During the fight, detectives said one of the suspects got into the SUV and ran over the victim. The suspects then got back into their cars and fled.
Investigators said the man, identified by friends as 23-year-old Victor Serrato, died of blunt force trauma. He was declared dead at the scene.
Serrato's younger brother was with him and also got hit by the SUV. He sustained minor injuries.
Detectives say some of the suspects were located at a hospital in Whittier, where they were seeking treatment for minor abrasions and a possible stab wound. The beige SUV was located at the hospital.
Detectives said the suspects were detained, questioned and released.
Residents in the area were shaken up, having seen one of their friends killed right in front of them.
"I heard someone screaming and crying, and just like a bunch of people cussing and stuff," said Jasmine Gutierrez. "By the time I came out here, he was already on the floor dead."
Friends of the victim say Serrato was a friendly guy and was liked by everyone. He worked two jobs to care for his mother, they said, and was not involved with gangs.
The suspects were described only as Hispanic men who were 18 to 22 years old.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
