UPDATED: Murder Victim Was Only 13; Suspects Still at Large

Update: CNS reports that the victim in Monday evening's shooting was Roberto Carlos Sanchez.

Earlier: Police released more details Tuesday about the fatal shooting in the Historic Filipinotown area Monday night, including the fact that the victim was a 13-year-old boy who was gunned down while standing with two companions and that the shooting was gang related. Police did not release the victim's ID.

The shooting was the fourth fatal shooting in at least six months in the Historic Filipinotown area; the majority of the incidents are suspected to be gang-related.

According to police, at around 7:25 p.m. three young men standing at the corner of West Temple Street and North Benton Way were approached by three males who emerged from a car parked nearby. At least one of the approaching males opened fire. The group immediately fled the scene in what is thought to be a dark-colored 2000 or 2001 Toyota Camry. No suspects have been apprehended and the search is ongoing.

Among the victims, a 13-year-old boy shot multiple times in the torso was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics. The two other victims fled, and detectives appealed to them to come forward to help with the  investigation.

According to area residents and police reports, violence in Historic Filipinotown has been on the rise over the last several months.

Elizabeth Fischbach, who lives in the neighborhood and owns nearby bar (which was closed last night) admits, “the last eight to 10 months have been rough here in HiFi."

In an e-mail, she explained, "I moved here in the fall of 2006, and I remember telling people that it felt remarkably safe—no problems with gangs, no crime, no gunshots—at least right here in my immediate area. But that unfortunately has changed.”

Anyone with information about last night’s incident is asked to call LAPD Rampart Division Det. J. Motto at 213-484-3639. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477), or text to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); begin text messages with the letters “LAPD.” Tips may also be submitted online at LAPDOnline.org by clicking “webtips.”