Investigation Of LA Riot Homicide Picks UP 25 Years Later

LOS ANGELES, CA — A shell casing was discovered near the body of an 18- year-old man who was found in a fire set during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, police said Thursday, but it is unknown if it played a role in the death of the man who until recently was the last unidentified victim of the unrest.

Miguel Armando Quiroz Ortiz -- who was initially identified by authorities on May 19 as Armando Hernandez -- was found dead in a burned-down Pep Boys building at 5801 S. Vermont Ave. about 2 p.m. May 2, 1992, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. His family in Mexico has since clarified his real name.

His cause of death was listed by the coroner's office as "inhalation of smoke, soot and carbon monoxide." The young man also had suffered burns.

Ortiz was identified on April 6 from a single fingerprint from his body, which had been burned beyond recognition.

"During the investigation, detectives recovered a shell casing found near the body, (but) it is unknown if it is associated with his death," according to the LAPD. "The Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Unit determined that the fire was intentionally started, (and) therefore the case was ruled a homicide."

Police urged anyone with information about Ortiz's death to call (877) LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Ortiz was one of 58 people killed in the April 29-May 4, 1992 riots, which erupted after four LAPD officers were acquitted of excessive force charges related to the videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King at end of a car chase on March 3, 1991 in the Lake View Terrace area.

City News Service; Patch Archive