NORTHRIDGE, CA — A second man has died from gunshot wounds suffered in April when a gunman opened fire on a group of workers painting over graffiti outside an ice cream shop in Northridge.
The children of Benjamin Marin, 69, confirmed Monday that their father died after multiple surgeries and a nearly two-month battle for his life. According to a GoFundMe page created by his family, Marin was a bystander wounded in the April 15 shooting.
“Our dad was a very kind-hearted man who did not see the bad in anyone he encountered, and he definitely did not deserve this to happen to him by any means,” wrote his daughter Adriana Marin Smith and her siblings. “He immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the late 70s with his wife for work and the chance at attaining the American Dream. He owned a car detailing business, Quaizar – his dream was to grow it into [a] family-run business. He taught his children the value of hard work and the importance of faith in God. He is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren that love him very dearly and overwhelmed by sorrow to see him go.”
Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Jamal Jackson, 24, of Panorma City, shot into a group of painters with a semiautomatic “Uzi”-style handgun because he was angry that they were painting over his graffiti in the 1900 block of Parthenia Street. Juan López, 39, died of gunshot wounds at a hospital a short time later, according to police. Three other men were shot, including two who underwent surgery.
Police allege Jackson shot into the group of painters with a semiautomatic “Uzi”-style handgun.
Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Jackson was allegedly seen on video surveillance cameras painting graffiti on the building hours before the shooting, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Investigation later revealed that nearby surveillance footage showed Jackson exiting his vehicle, a white Toyota Camry, near the victims who were painting out gang graffiti on Vanalden Avenue, north of Parthenia Street,” Los Angeles police said in a statement announcing Jackson’s arrest. “Jackson approached the victims on foot and produced a handgun, firing at them multiple times.”
Jackson was set to be arraigned in a San Fernando courtroom on one count each of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon and four counts of attempted murder, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The charges include allegations that Jackson personally used a handgun and personally inflicted great bodily injury.
In a statement announcing the charges, District Attorney George Gascón said, “This callous act of violence against a group of individuals showed a total disregard for human life.
Smith remembers the horror of that day – first hearing the sirens and then rushing outside at eight months pregnant to see her father being treated for gunshot wounds outside the neighborhood ice cream shop he liked to frequent.
“He was still there. I saw him being carried out by the paramedics,” she told The Los Angeles Times on Monday. What comes to all of our minds is that it was just a senseless act of violence. For it to happen in broad daylight, someone offended over some graffiti, it’s just … I don’t know.”
City News Service
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: aviron bayonnais rugby jerseys