Verdugo Road Homicide: Man Hospitalized with Bullet Wounds Dies

A day after his 18-year-old girlfriend was gunned down in front of her house in Glassell Park, Michael Cortez, 21, succumbed to his injuries Tuesday afternoon at the USC Medical Center, according to Northeast Community Station homicide detective José Carrillo, who is investigating the case.

Cortez and his girlfriend, Nicole Zuniga, were struck by bullets Monday night outside 3232 Verdugo Rd. Carrillo told Patch Wednesday that their shootings appear to the handiwork of several gang members.

“Because of the location [of the shooting] and based on the information we have of the suspects, more than likely it’s a gang-related incident,” Carrillo said, adding: “Unfortunately, we haven’t made that definite connection yet.”

Investigators have no leads in the case so far, Carrillo said. “We’re not even sure why this happened and are still trying to identify the motive in hopes of identifying who’s responsible for it,” Carrillo said.

Cortez grew up in Northeast L.A., and “to our knowledge” was Zuniga’s boyfriend, said Carrillo.

Carrillo said that any further information about the shooting that comes up during the course of the investigation would be conveyed to his supervisor, who would then decide whether or not to share it with the public.

Related: Two Shot in Glassell Park, One Fatally

Any tips about this case may be shared directly with the Northeast Station’s Homicide Unit by calling (323) 344-5744.