Vigil Held For Camp Pendleton Marine Killed In Jefferson Park
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An emotional candlelight vigil was held Tuesday night for a Camp Pendleton marine killed in Jefferson Park last week. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the killer's arrest.
Lance Corporal Carlos Segovia was taken off life support Monday night, according to his family.
The 19-year-old was found slumped over in the driver's seat of his car on 31st Street Friday night.
"My only boy, my wonderful boy, who was killed," the victim's mother, Sandra Lopez, cried at the vigil. "We need to stop this. We have to really speak up."
Lopez said her son's body was still being kept alive waiting to donate his organs. "Even after died, he wanted to give life to people."
A vehicle had pulled up beside Segovia's car, and at least one person opened fire, striking him once in the head, Los Angeles police Officer Norma Eisenman said.
Police said the killer may have been a gang member, but Sergovia was not. They said the marine may have seen something he was not supposed to and was killed because of it.
Friends said Sergovia had helped the homeless for years and chose to stay out of trouble. "He could have easily gone down the wrong path," said Dana Baisel. "And he chose to go down the right path. He was very giving."
Born in El Salvador, Segovia came to the U.S. with his mother. Both are U.S. citizens.
He joined the Marines about six months ago after finishing high school.
The LAPD said there have been 74 murders in South L.A. so far this year.