Man Ambushed and Shot Dead on Street in Van Nuys

By City News Service

Police asked for the public's assistance Thursday in the search for a gunman who shot dead a 22-year-old man on a Van Nuys street.

Ramiro Melendez-Lobos was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant as he walked south in the 6200 block of Cedros Avenue in Van Nuys around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday and died at the scene, a Los Angeles Police Department statement said.

Witnesses told police the gunman then ran to the passenger side of a waiting light gray Honda or Acura sedan, which was driven away west on DeLano Street. Detectives described the weapon used in the shooting as a 9mm semiautomatic pistol.

Anyone with information on the shooting was urged to contact the LAPD Van Nuys Detective desk at (818) 374-0040. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be made to 877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by texting Crime Stoppers on 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most cell phone keypads).

Information can also be provided online by going to LAPDOnline.org, clicking on "webtips", and following the prompts.