Martin Valdovinos, L.A. Homicide No. 24: Man Shot Dead in 'Drug Deal Gone Wrong'
By Ryan Deto
Google Maps The street where Martin Valdovinos was shot dead
A 43-year-old Latino man was shot multiples times on January 28 in the 4400 block of South Towne Avenue. Martin Valdovinos was taken downtown to California Hospital Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m., according to coroner's records.
The Los Angeles Times reported Valdovinos was shot during a "drug deal gone wrong" and later confirmed that he was the person selling drugs.
A convict by the same name was arrested in April 2009 after a drug bust in San Joaquin County. Officers seized 20 pounds of crystal meth and 100 pounds of MSM, which is used to cut meth to increase its quantity.
Recordnet.com reported that the value of the drugs was around $800,000. The arrest followed a four-month investigation and targeted a "major crystal methamphetamine distributor" in San Joaquin County, said officials. Four additional arrests were made after the raid and all five suspects were charged with drug trafficking.
Recordnet.com Martin Valdovinos at arrest in San Joaquin County. Appears to be the same man killed in Los Angeles.
San Joaquin Sheriff's Department has not called back to confirm whether or not the man killed in South Park is the same man arrested in San Joaquin County, but with both cases being drug-related, it appears be the case.
Note: Due to technical difficulties, the LA Weekly's archive of all homicides within Los Angeles city limits was discontinued near the end of last year. We will be rolling out the 2011 homicides, one by one, until our "Murder was the Case" archive is up to date. Thanks for your patience.
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