A

Killed by gun May 29, 1998, at age 17

San Rafael Aguilar wished for his future to graduate from high school, Warren High in Downey, CA, to become a computer technician and travel to Pennsylvania and join the military. San Rafael was very popular in hearing music and dancing and singing, well known for his hospitality and sharing and giving to others. We received $37,000 in donations in the first week that he was deceased.

He loved swimming, riding bikes. He was very interested in getting a job, but was always turned down because of his age. In 1996, he made his first Holy Communion, at age 15. In grade school, he received a plaque for best student and a dinner invitation to Lidos restaurant in Huntington Park, CA, from the Mayor and school of South Gate Elementary.

The last thing he told me was to go to church and that he loved me and was proud of me. He also went to see the preacher and told him he wanted to meet his real father, eight days before he passed. He told my grandson, Steven, if he ever went away, he wanted always to be remembered, and that his life was a lot of fun, and that he missed his dad. Steven said his favorite time was Christmas.

By Connie Garcia Aguilar, Mother

Killed by gun October 1, 2012

Mary Oliver asks in her poem “The Summer Day,”

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Julio Alcantar knew his own answer to that question. He was hard working, unfailingly polite and kind, a young man who worked hard at his studies and focused on his dreams for the future. He wanted to improve the world by ridding it of violence and fear. This is a big dream, but he intended to play his own role in making the world safer and friendlier. He was successful in his own terms because even faced with obstacle after obstacle, he never veered from his intended path. He was a senior at UC San Diego and planned to become a lawyer for people in his community.

He was shot and killed in south Los Angeles on October 1, 2012, by an unknown assailant. He was 23 years old.

Julio wrote the following after the first time he was shot in south Los Angeles on October 6, 2007:

“[After I was shot] I had a horrible realization. Life in the “hood” is no good for anyone. Even though I was working and focusing on school [at UC San Diego] I was not excused from the harsh realities of South Central.

I realize now, more than ever, that a college education is the only way to expurgate the toxins of society from my soul. I cannot picture my children living through this, along with all the other innocent children in my neighborhood.

The question of why the only option for young males in inner cities seems to be gang life crosses my mind. And through education I want to answer it myself. I want to create change in my community so that someday this self-hate and community violence stops. I will forever be reminded of what happened that day; the bullet lodged in my spinal cord, the cracked rib and punctured lung will make sure of that.

The fear instilled in me on that day will forever haunt me. But from that fear I will draw inspiration and battle for equality and justice until I have vanquished it.”

Julio was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery on Saturday, October 20, 2012. His parents spared no expense, since there would be no graduation party or future wedding or baby christenings for this son. More than 400 people attended the ceremony, some from UC San Diego. A mariachi band played him home.

Killed by gun

Killed by gun April 28, 1998, at age 17

Andres was a very friendly kid. He had lots of friends. He was very respectful to his parents. He was studying his 11th year in high school. His dream was to go to art school after graduation. Drawing was his favorite hobby.

He also loved to play soccer. He was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Phillys soccer team at the same school in which he was murdered with one of his best friends, Hector Lopez (Chato). PVYSL will sponsor a soccer tournament every year in memory of Andres and Hector.

By Socorro Azocar, Father