South Los Angeles taco vendor shot, killed in possible robbery

Saturday, June 20, 2015
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A taco vendor was shot and killed in South Los Angeles Friday night in what police believe may have been a robbery.

Alvaro Mata-Rizo, 30, of Bell Gardens, was shot near Ramirez Market at 51st Street and McKinley Avenue around 11 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Detectives were checking nearby businesses to find surveillance video that can help the investigation.

Authorities said two men are suspected of killing Mata-Rizo. No further information was available on the suspects.

Area residents said Mata-Rizo was a married father of a 2-year-old boy and worked six days a week to support his family.

"I used to come to the store and he used to always receive people with a smile," Carlos Lopez said.



The area was shut down until 4 a.m. Saturday while police investigated the scene.
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