Juan Manuel Ayuso, a 51-year-old Latino, was tragically killed on July 28, 2018, in the South Los Angeles community of Westmont. According to reports, Ayuso was standing near the door of a liquor store on South Vermont Avenue when a dark-colored sedan pulled up. Three men exited the vehicle and began shooting at two men who were leaving the store. The gunfire struck Ayuso and three other bystanders. Ayuso was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 p.m.
His cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso.
The incident also resulted in the death of Juan Antonio Lopez, a 23-year-old Latino, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez's acquaintance and two other bystanders were injured but survived. The fourth bystander had minor injuries and refused treatment. Ayuso was a homeless man who had been staying in the Westmont area at the time of the shooting.
Investigators have not identified the shooters, who were last seen driving south on South Vermont Avenue. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has not provided a description of the suspects beyond their gender. There is no information indicating that Lopez or his acquaintance had gang ties, and the motive for the shooting remains unclear. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers to provide anonymous tips.
