Etsael Cardenas, 21, was the second of five children. He was raised in Echo Park, and attended Belmont High.
An ad hoc memorial in the 1400 block of West Kensington Avenue in the beautiful hillside neighborhood of Angeleno Heights now marks where he received the single shot that later killed him Sunday.
See images in the above gallery.
It is a crime that police cannot explain, and in which they have few leads.
His cousin Cristina LaGuardia tells us in an email.
My cousins are pretty screwed up right. They always looked up to him because he was the only boy and a very good brother. He wasn't like any of the guys that were to embarrassed to be seen with sisters or Mom. He was always proud, and...being the only boy he was the apple of my aunt's eye.
LaGuardia says her aunt is devastated by her son's death, who investigators do not believe was affiliated with a gang.
A memorial for is yet to be scheduled, but check back here for details.
Police are still following leads without much luck. Those with information are asked to call Rampart homicide detectives at (213) 484-3650.
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