Police say three men were doing contracting work at a Sun Valley apartment when for unknown reasons a bloody confrontation began with a man witnesses identify as the apartment's manager.
"A younger male Hispanic who was doing the job work, about 19 years old, went out of the job site to retrieve some tools. He was confronted by a male Hispanic. An argument ensued where the 19-year-old male Hispanic was down on the ground when he died," said LAPD Sgt. Rudy Lopez.
Noah Rojero said he saw the father of the 19-year-old victim walk out and try to fight the man who just shot his son before he too was shot dead.
Then the suspect tried to flee the scene. A police pursuit ended during rush hour in North Hollywood, when the suspect lost control of his car on the Burbank Boulevard off ramp of the 170 Freeway. Police quickly surrounded the car.
"The suspect didn't seem like he was cooperating with them, he got out of his car. I saw him with his hand kind of cocked and he turned around and they said stop and they shot him," said Janice Moore.
The 1992 Toyota is registered to Oscar Sermeno, who lived at the Sun Valley apartment. Neighbors say he managed the building and seemed like a nice, quiet guy.
"We don't know what the relationship was or the nature of the argument. It may have been involved that job they were doing, we don't know at this time, still witnesses are being interviewed," said Lopez.
The investigation continued into the night. There was no word on when the freeway off ramp and Burbank Boulevard would reopen, although police anticipated the closure would last a few more hours.
