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Whittier Family Suffers 2nd Shooting Death In 2012

WHITTIER (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives in Whittier continue to search for leads in the Friday shooting death of a man whose father was also gunned down several months ago.

The Friday shooting occurred in the 12000 block of Bonavista Lane just after 9:30 p.m. The victim was standing outside, in his front yard, smoking a cigarette and talking on his cell phone.

He was reportedly shot several times in the stomach.

The victim was identified Saturday as 48-year-old Joseph "Joey" Telles. Officials said the victim was found with a handgun on his person.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Louisa Hodge spoke to the man's devastated family.

The family already endured the shooting death of Telles' 71-year-old father -- also named Joseph Telles -- in August. The senior Telles had just beaten cancer.

In that crime, the elder Telles was found shot to death inside his SUV, less than a mile from his home. He was shot in the head and died at the scene. The elder Telles was reportedly showing his SUV to a potential buyer..

Family told Hodge they had no idea why both men may have been targeted or if the crimes are even related.

The younger Telles was married and had four children. He recently became a grandfather in recent months.

Choking back tears, Georgi Ortega told Hodge, "My cousin died right here. It's not fair for someone to take a father and a son from a family ... months apart. I mean, my God. The mother. How much more can she take? How much more can this family take?"

Michelle Armenta said, "My brother was a good person. He was just trying to take care of my mother. He was just so worried about my mom. And worried that whoever did this to my dad might come after him."

Witnesses said two men, in hoodies, fled from the scene but it was too dark to get a good description.

Arnmenta pleaded for the public to tell police anything that might help them catch the killers. "Please come forward. Say something. This is not fair"

Anyone with information about these murders is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling "Crime Stoppers" (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). You can also send a tip via the "Crime Stoppers" website.
Related Link:

71-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Shot To Death In Whittier

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