19-year old Downey man fatally shot while riding his bike; 8th fatal SoCal bike shooting this year

This has got to stop.

According to the Downey Beat, a 19-year old man was shot to death while riding his bike in Downey early Monday morning.

The man, who has not yet been publicly identified, was found bleeding in the street on Earnshaw Avenue near the intersection with Prichard Street around 3 am. Police report few clues and no witnesses; the site reports that it’s currently unknown if he was shot from a passing car or because of a dispute, or for some other reason.

Despite the lack of public ID, the victim was clearly well known in the neighborhood, described as friendly man and a good barber who gave haircuts to local residents.

This is the eight shooting victim killed while riding a bike this year, and the seventh in the County of Los Angeles. That compares with 59 cyclists killed in traffic-related collision since the first of the year.

He may not have been targeted because he rode a bike. But the loss of a young man who hadn’t even seen his 20th birthday is every bit as tragic.

And just as much a waste.

My sympathies to the victim’s family and friends.

……..

Cyclist and attorney Dj Wheels reports that Shawn Fields, who was recently sentenced to seven years in the drunken hit-and-run death of 17-year old Pacoima cyclist Danny Marin, has filed an appeal of his conviction.

Wheels reports that the appeal was filed the same day Fields changed his plea. There’s no basis given, but it’s a safe bet that it hinges on the defense’s motion to have almost all the evidence tossed for lack of probable cause in entering Field’s home to make the arrest, which was denied by the judge.

Fields was sentenced to 2 years for the vehicular manslaughter charge, plus five for the hit-and-run, as well as ordered to pay $10,515 in restitution to the victim’s family.

He is now confined in the North Kern Prison, where he can expect to spend at least the next three-plus years with good behavior.

One comment

  1. Opus the Poet says:

    That’s not the only sentence being appealed. convicted killer Tasha Borland, who got drunk and took prescription painkillers and was almost comatose behind the wheel when she hit 3 cyclists, killing 2 in 2009, is appealing her 25 year sentence. The prosecutor has asked for respectful e-mails to be sent to the appeals judge @ jmansfield@tulsacounty.org. Remember to keep it respectful of the court, and try not to demonize Tasha too much. Emphasise her previous convictions for drunk driving and how that did not teach her a lesson, and the danger she poses to the community if she gets behind the wheel again.

    But KEEP IT RESPECTFUL OF THE COURT!

    Thank You

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