CA - Anna Hernandez, 14, shot to death, San Diego, 16 Nov 2015 *Arrest*

[mrsobrien]

Mrsobrien, I believe you are thinking of Chicano Park, which is also in Barrio Logan, and does have a terrible reputation. It also has a rich history, and some amazing murals:

http://www.chicanoparksandiego.com/history/page1.html


>>>snip

...An artist by the name of Salvador Torres was in attendance that evening. In his speech. he expressed his vision of local] Chicano painters and sculptors turning the bridge pylons '`into things of beauty, reflecting the Mexican-American culture. We are ready to die." In response, young people at the meeting began to stamp their feet in rhythm, shouting "Viva la raza!" one young man, identifying himself only as a student at San Diego State, directed his statement to city officials:

The word culture is used. To you culture means Taco Bell and the funny Mexican with-, the funny songs. We gave you our culture of a thousand years. What have you given us? A social system that makes us beggars and police who make us afraid. We've got the land and we are going to work it. We are going to get that park. We no longer talk about asking. We have the park.

During the occupation of Chicano Park, the three-acre parcel was transformed into a desert garden of plants and grass. Chicano youth and student organizations from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles traveled to Barrio Logan to offer their support. Women prepared meals for the demonstrators, while others donated trees, seeds, and fertilizer. The occupation represented the first time in which residents had come together in unity for themselves and their community. ........As the park was being transformed, city officials were searching for available land adjacent to freeways, which would be suitable for a highway patrol station If such a site could be found.. the city would then trade it to the state for the occupied site in Barrio Logan...

(article continues, with pictures/virtual tour)

<<<snip

There is also a Memorial Park, which has a skate park and a pool:

http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/recctr/dolores.shtml

The article I read said that Nelly hung out at Memorial Park, IIRC, which makes more sense to me. I don't know any of these girls, but there is a 15 yo boy in my extended family who loves to skate and ride mountain bikes, and who spends all summer at the (different) pool. Chicano park has lots of adults who live under the bridges in tents, who hang out there by day, and lots of crime. But, the skate park is usually full of kids, and I've never heard anything bad about it. Yet. So, maybe these girls were just...being girls, and not necessarily looking for trouble.

MOO, and I hope nobody minded a little history lesson!

I'm not confusing the 2 parks, but thanks.
<---not snark or anything, promise. Good to see another local in here!

 

[Lilibet]

Thank you locals for great all the information. After reading about Mountain View/Southeast S.D. I have trouble imagining trying to raise children there. Most of these families probably have no choice. I would be afraid to let a teen roam in that area. Grant Hill, where Anna lived is not included in Southeast, so I wonder why she was in Mountain View, although Nelly lived near the border and Janeth was last seen in Mountain View, so that may explain it.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Southeast San Diego

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_San_Diego#

 

[mrsobrien]

Thank you locals for great all the information. After reading about Mountain View/Southeast S.D. I have trouble imagining trying to raise children there. Most of these families probably have no choice. I would be afraid to let a teen roam in that area. Grant Hill, where Anna lived is not included in Southeast, so I wonder why she was in Mountain View, although Nelly lived near the border and Janeth was last seen in Mountain View, so that may explain it.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Southeast San Diego

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_San_Diego#

Something to keep in mind when questioning areas/neighborhoods in SD: They are divided into tiny sections, very close together. There are even "sub-sections" of neighborhoods with their own designated names. Mountain View and Grant Hill are super close, it wouldnt be strange to be out of one's hood. It's normal to pass through a dozen sections just on daily routines, I know I do!

 

[Lilibet]

Something to keep in mind when questioning areas/neighborhoods in SD: They are divided into tiny sections, very close together. There are even "sub-sections" of neighborhoods with their own designated names. Mountain View and Grant Hill are super close, it wouldnt be strange to be out of one's hood. It's normal to pass through a dozen sections just on daily routines, I know I do!

Thanks for your perspective. It helps a lot. I guess the fact that the girls would likely be on foot is what made me wonder why they would roam about in such a dangerous area. But if they were in groups they might feel safe and if they have older friends with wheels, or use public transportation, even safer. And of course, kids are less aware of danger than adults.

My main experience traveling around San Diego is a little further east and north, where family lives...all in different neighborhoods/areas...but still in San Diego (except daughter in La Mesa). So I do remember passing through many sections over there. We stayed in our RV at Santee Lakes for extended periods, and loved it. San Diego felt like a second home.

 

[mrsobrien]

Thanks for your perspective. It helps a lot. I guess the fact that the girls would likely be on foot is what made me wonder why they would roam about in such a dangerous area. But if they were in groups they might feel safe and if they have older friends with wheels, or use public transportation, even safer. And of course, kids are less aware of danger than adults.

My main experience traveling around San Diego is a little further east and north, where family lives...all in different neighborhoods/areas...but still in San Diego (except daughter in La Mesa). So I do remember passing through many sections over there. We stayed in our RV at Santee Lakes for extended periods, and loved it. San Diego felt like a second home.

There is SO much to love here, really. Even our worst neighborhoods are not as bad as in other very large cities. Traveling by foot is very acceptable and practical in most circumstances. I would not personally let my kids roam in any SE areas, but I realize it's a way of life for some.

The city is trying hard to rehab many SE sections, and it definitely has improved over the last decade, but still... *sigh*

 

[Curious Me]

In my thoughts I can't help but suspect this all is somehow gang related, but it's just my own suspicions at this point.

I've lived here a long time. Over the years, there's been a real surge in gang activity, gang crimes, and sex trafficking of underage girls. JMO, but seems like a lot of young gang members all want to be pimps. Oddly, I don't see as many obvious prostitutes on the streets as I used to, but I guess it's because these young pimps traffic their young girls online. I do know they threaten young girls with harm to them and their families if the girls don't comply.

There's a list of some of the local gangs here: http://619gangs.blogspot.com/p/san-diego-gang-roll-call.html

Just saying...

 

[Curious Me]

This is the kind of mentality I'm worried about and might apply to this case, but at this point, let me be clear, it is only my own suspicions.


San Diego Gang Stories Retrospective
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/17/san-diego-gang-stories-retrospective/

"Of in the gang world, snitches are the low of the low. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And there's a sighing, snitches get stitches. Which means you will get hurt or you could possibly get killed if you rat us out or if you tell details about what we do."and this

"Right, that was the other thing. I think gangs are known, obviously, for dealing drugs, [CHECK] but what I also found out in one of the stories that really touched me is that gangs are pimping out young girls and they seduce them, they either bring them in by seducing them or by force. They will literally grab young girls off the streets. They will commit physical harm to these young girls, and they are locked into this life of prostitution."

BBM

 

[Curious Me]

I posted this on Anna's thread too. This is the kind of mentality I'm worried about and might apply to this case, but at this point, let me be clear, it is only my own suspicions.

Imagine knowing something you can't tell LE about because you or your family members could be harmed.


San Diego Gang Stories Retrospective
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/17...retrospective/

"Of in the gang world, snitches are the low of the low. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And there's a sighing, snitches get stitches. Which means you will get hurt or you could possibly get killed if you rat us out or if you tell details about what we do."

and this

"Right, that was the other thing. I think gangs are known, obviously, for dealing drugs, [CHECK] but what I also found out in one of the stories that really touched me is that gangs are pimping out young girls and they seduce them, they either bring them in by seducing them or by force. They will literally grab young girls off the streets. They will commit physical harm to these young girls, and they are locked into this life of prostitution."

BBM

 

[Lilibet]

This is the kind of mentality I'm worried about and might apply to this case, but at this point, let me be clear, it is only my own suspicions.


San Diego Gang Stories Retrospective
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/17/san-diego-gang-stories-retrospective/

"Of in the gang world, snitches are the low of the low. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And you know, gang members who tell other people about the gang world are considered snitches. And there's a sighing, snitches get stitches. Which means you will get hurt or you could possibly get killed if you rat us out or if you tell details about what we do."and this

"Right, that was the other thing. I think gangs are known, obviously, for dealing drugs, [CHECK] but what I also found out in one of the stories that really touched me is that gangs are pimping out young girls and they seduce them, they either bring them in by seducing them or by force. They will literally grab young girls off the streets. They will commit physical harm to these young girls, and they are locked into this life of prostitution."

BBM

Thanks so much for posting this. I read it all and it's heartbreaking. I do think there is a big possibility that Anna was killed for this reason, and that Nelly is in hiding. Janeth may be too...or dead. Pimps do take these girls out of state (or country?) so that's another possibility.

Something that jumped out at me is that many kids are born into gang families. That's all they know. Older gang members are using young ones to do their dirty work. And on it goes.

Gangs are even a problem in a town near me in rural southern Oregon, so it's everywhere. Ugh.

As an aside for anyone else reading the transcript, it was rushed by a contractor for the sake of accessibility to the deaf and hard of hearing, so it's full of very strange typos. I just wanted to make it clear that KPBS isn't responsible!

 

[Lilibet]

Sigh...although I think it's most likely that Anna's murder had to do with "snitching" and possibly sex trafficking, here's another possible motive for killing Anna. Was she killed to teach a gang member in her family a lesson, as it appears little 9 year old Tyshawn Lee in Chicago was?

Authorities said the child was executed in retaliation for his father's gang ties in an ongoing fight between rival gangs.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/man-charged-with-first-degree-murder-of-tyshawn-lee/1101440/

At least there has been an arrest.

 

[coastal]

Sigh...although I think it's most likely that Anna's murder had to do with "snitching" and possibly sex trafficking, here's another possible motive for killing Anna. Was she killed to teach a gang member in her family a lesson, as it appears little 9 year old Tyshawn Lee in Chicago was?



http://abc7chicago.com/news/man-charged-with-first-degree-murder-of-tyshawn-lee/1101440/

At least there has been an arrest.

I also think Anna's murder is probably related to her rape, but I did a quick Wikipedia search for local gang info anyway:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Heights_Gang

<<<snip

The Logan Heights gang is a Sureño street gang based in Southeast San Diego.

The Logan Heights gang also has close ties to the Tijuana Cartel and Mexican Mafia. Enemies of the gang include several San Diego County gangs (most notably Barrio Sherman, Varrio Shelltown, and Old Town National City), and gangs from North Hollywood, Los Angeles...

...The Logan Heights gang has been an ally to the Tijuana Cartel (Arellano-Félix Organization) over the Tijuana smuggling route to the border city of San Diego, California...


<<<snip

Okay, I knew it was bad, but

(Also): Logan Heights Gang: Logan Heights, Varrio Logan Heights, Calle 30
Criminal activities: Drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, human smuggling.

BBM. That would be 30th Street (doh). And (coastal whispers) the Mexican Mafia. And the Arellano-Felix Cartel.
Yikes.

I don't even want to learn more about this.

 

[Curious Me]

This is what we know from Anna's sister.

Young juveniles raped Anna. I'm pretty sure that means under the age of 18 yrs. old. There were more than two. There's many gangs that are just a bunch of very young kids.

Other articles have mentioned Anna had just changed schools and started hanging around a different group of teens, and maybe she attended a party that got out of hand. I'm not thinking big, organized cartel here, but just a bunch of young want-to-be punks. MOO, of course.

I wonder if what she said in the distress call the day she went missing. Was there any way for family or the police to find her quickly? Reports say she was beaten and then shot, perhaps it was right after that distress call.

The actual threats to her life probably started once she talked about the rape. Was there any way to protect her or was it only a matter of time before she paid for opening her mouth?

~.~.~.~~.~.~.~~.~.~.~~.~.~.~~.~.~.~~.~.~.~~.~.~.~.~


Family of murdered teen seeks answers
http://fox5sandiego.com/2015/11/25/family-of-murdered-teen-seeks-answers/

"Sources close to the investigation confirmed Wednesday that Anna was sexually assaulted on Sept. 21 in Mountain View. Two male juveniles were taken into custody for the alleged violent attack."

"According to Anna&#8217;s family members, there were more people involved in the assault. Her family says they knew something was wrong when Anna disappeared Nov. 13 and feel baffled as to why police never responded to their missing person crisis."

"Anna&#8217;s sister, Miriam Yocupicio, said she received a distress call from Anna the day she went missing, but was unable to convince police she was in danger and needed to be found."

&#8220;I called the police&#8230;Nobody came to the house,&#8221; she said."

BBM

 

[Curious Me]

...snipped...
Okay, I knew it was bad, but

(Also): Logan Heights Gang: Logan Heights, Varrio Logan Heights, Calle 30
Criminal activities: Drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, human smuggling.

BBM. That would be 30th Street (doh). And (coastal whispers) the Mexican Mafia. And the Arellano-Felix Cartel.
Yikes.

I don't even want to learn more about this.

Not to cause you further stress, but things and places aren't always what they seem. Constantly have to remind ourselves and be aware. It's really sad. Watch your purse. Look for people with bombs. :sigh:

This is just a list of some of the local gangs and areas of the county. http://619gangs.blogspot.com/p/san-diego-gang-roll-call.html

 

[becciboo81]

She's been FOUND!! Alive but no details have been given.

http://www.10news.com/news/sdpd-friend-of-murdered-girl-likely-in-mexico_

From the article:

SAN DIEGO -- A 12-year-old girl who disappeared after the body of her 14-year-old friend was discovered in Grant Hill, was found alive in Tijuana, Mexico on Friday, according to our media partner,XETV.

Nelly Espinoza was turned over to the San Diego Police Department and her mother. No further details were immediately available.



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[Lilibet]

That's great news that Nelly's been found. I let Bessie know so thread title can reflect that. Of course, if this is in any way gang related, I don't know how safe she can be back in her neighborhood. Let's hope she'll be OK. I wonder where Janneth is.

 

[becciboo81]

Yes exactly. I'm not sure if this is truly good news or not. I have my suspicions. She was turned over to her mother so my original personal theory of her being an accomplice wouldn't fit unless they have no evidence. Now if she ran away to flee danger I pray that her mother does everything in her power to get out of town, anyway anyhow. With her kids. Maybe without the boyfriend, who knows.

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[Curious Me]

She's been FOUND!! Alive but no details have been given.

http://www.10news.com/news/sdpd-friend-of-murdered-girl-likely-in-mexico_

From the article:

SAN DIEGO -- A 12-year-old girl who disappeared after the body of her 14-year-old friend was discovered in Grant Hill, was found alive in Tijuana, Mexico on Friday, according to our media partner,XETV.

Nelly Espinoza was turned over to the San Diego Police Department and her mother. No further details were immediately available.



Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Nelly was found and she's alive, thankfully!
Hope she is going to be protected and safe back home.

Nelly is being questioned by LE. Hopefully, she'll provide some info that will help LE find Anna's killer(s).

And where's Janneth?

http://www.cbs8.com/story/30618323/missing-teen-found-in-tijuana

 

[Elainera]

Wow that's great news (I hope). She must be traumatized. I hope she'll get help.

 

[pappa rob]

I hope that her Mom can keep her safe.

 

[Curious Me]

Janeth is the correct spelling, I guess.

Why did LE seem to think Nelly might be with Janeth?

The sexual assault of Anna occurred on September 21st.
Then, Janeth went missing on October 28th.
Anna and Nelly both went missing on November 13th.

As we know, Anna was murdered. Nelly was found today in Tijuana, Mexico, and is being questioned. Will we ever find out the whole story?

Is there any reason these events connect the three girls? That's what I want to know. Where's Janeth, and is she safe?

:thinking:

http://fox5sandiego.com/2015/11/25/police-search-for-2-runaway-teens-after-friends-murder/

"Police also released a picture of 16-year-old Janeth Mendoza, another teen who was reported missing since October 28. She was last seen near the 3000 block of Webster Street. Mendoza is 5-feet, 5-inches tall, 160 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. Police said she has a Charger bolt tattoo on her neck and &#8220;Bella&#8221; on her right forearm and &#8220;Perla&#8221; on her left."