LAPD Pacific Division At Work In Venice, California

Augustine Contreras, 17 was shot and killed in the Venice High School parking lot this afternoon. Police said that increased racial tensions between Black and Latino street gangs led to this shooting.

Venice High School was used to film the movie Grease in happier days. The sad reality is that Rydell High School seemed to attract much less police attention than Venice High.

The shooter was believed to have fled to the area of Oakwood Park at California and Oakwood Avenues in Venice. Police called out the cavalry complete with helicopters, SWAT gear and dogs. The officers set up a perimeter and conducted a futile search for the gunman.

The City Council has offered a $50,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the shooter. Contact the Pacific Division homicide detectives at (310) 482-6313 or the LAPD's anonymous tip line at (877) 529-3855.

Sit back and watch the pros from the Pacific Division do their job in this five-minute video.


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August 11, 2006 An update! The LAPD announced that have made an arrest of someone who has been in custody sine June 9th on an unrelated crime for this killing. It took two months but the long arm of the law has snagged 21 year-old, Cymone Donyeal Turner. Police said they are searching for and additional five suspects involved in the killing.