Supporters of Slain Lynwood Resident Want 'Justice' and 'Reform'

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On Wednesday, family and friends of Jonathan Cuevas, 20, took to the streets in the evening to ask for justice. The protesters want justice for Cuevas who they believe was unjustly shot and killed by a Sheriff's deputy two years ago. 

Armed with posters, candles and t-shirts bearing Cuevas' face, supporters waved their signs at motorists, who sometimes honked to show support.

"I want people to know what really went on and what we’re trying to get," said Cuevas' fiancé, Mayra Murrillo. "I want the officer out of here and I want justice to be served."

According to officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), the deputy is still working at the Century Station in Lynwood. 

On October 10, 2010, just after midnight, Cuevas and two friends jaywalked across Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood. 

Shortly after, a Sheriff’s patrol car driven by deputy Julio Jove, pulled up next to the three men, because of the pedestrian violation.

As Jove got out of the car, Cuevas ran from him towards the corner of Josephine Street and Long Beach Boulevard. The deputy is said to have hit Cuevas by shooting two rounds at him as he ran.

The video surveillance footage, which was released last month, also allegedly shows Jove standing over an injured Cuevas before shooting him one last time, according to supporters. 

According to a Sheriff’s department incident report, Jove claims that Cuevas removed a handgun from his waistband, and pointed it towards him as he ran towards Josephine Street.

"The video shows that Jonathan never pointed a weapon at the officer, all he did was just take off running," said James Segall-Gutierrez, the attorney representing Cuevas' fiancé and his 4-year-old son .

"He had no criminal record, he was a loving father, he had a fiancé, he was starting school to better his life," added Segall-Gutierrez. 

Though this is the two-year anniversary, Cuevas' mother, Alicia Alvarez has been organizing monthly vigils and rallies in memory of her son to spread awareness.

Alvarez said she would like to see changes within LASD policies and have the city look at their contract with the Sheriff's department to ensure that these types of incidents do not occur again. 

"From the bottom of my heart, I would hate for another mother to go through this," Alvarez said.

Cuevas' death is not the most recent officer-involved shooting.

In June, a man suspected of trying to kidnap an underage girl was shot and killed by a Lynwood Sheriff's deputy for allegedly charging at her.

Lynwood resident Carolina Merlos, 21, who showed up Wednesday evening to support Cuevas, has had her own experience with an officer-involved shooting.

According to Merlos, in March of 1992, her father and uncle were shot and killed by Sheriff's deputies in front of a laundromat on Cedar Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.

“I pictured what happened to my dad and uncle," said Merlos, admitting that this incident has reminds her loss.

According to Segall-Gutierrez, eyewitness have told him that come Sheriff’s deputies removed video footage from two nearby businesses.

"The police canvassed the area and basically intimidated people into hiding,” said Segall-Gutierrez. “Telling them you better not talk, there's going to be immigration consequences.”

"This is the oppression of the Latino community here in Lynwood by the LA County Sheriff’s Department," he added. 

The trial against the county, the Sheriff's department, and the deputy is set to begin next year. 

According to Alvarez, a friend of Cuevas who was with him on the night of his death, has given a deposition to the judge.

While Segall-Gutierrez, is still at the research stage and exchanging information with the county.

The family plans to have another vigil on Saturday, at the corner of Josephine Street and Long Beach Boulevard from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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