sev-mard Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Police, family baffled by shooting No motive apparent in fatal freeway gun-down of driver By Naush Boghossian and Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The son of Armenian immigrants, Garen Ketikyan had a strong work ethic, holding down a full-time job at a supermarket while studying business at Valley College. But the 20-year-old's dreams were cut short early Tuesday when he was fatally shot by gunmen in a white Ford Mustang as he and a friend drove on the Hollywood (170) Freeway. "He wanted to be successful. ... He was like a best friend to me," said the victim's older brother, Harut Ketikyan, 24, a Los Angeles County probation officer. "Mom and Dad would always tell us, 'The reason we brought you to this country is there is more opportunity here.' To get life cut short like that is sad." Ketikyan was killed just after midnight as he drove his 1998 Mercury Marquis north on the freeway near Sherman Way. His passenger, whose name was not released for his safety, was uninjured. Detectives initially believed the case might be connected to narcotics, gangs or other criminal activity, but those leads proved false, and the motive remains a mystery. "All indications are that they are good, hard-working kids. And they were just out having some fun and visiting friends," said LAPD Detective Mike Coffey. He said Ketikyan and his passenger were stopped at a traffic signal at Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Victory Boulevard about 11:45 p.m. Monday, and beeped their horn at two motorcyclists who didn't move when the light turned green. "The men got off the bikes, removed their helmets and began walking toward the Mercury in a threatening manner," Coffey said. "Somehow the confrontation ended without incident and everyone drove away." About 15 minutes later, Ketikyan was on the freeway when a white Mustang, with chrome wheels and a new-car registration pulled alongside and someone inside fired 10 to 15 rounds, Coffey said. Ketikyan was struck in the head and died at the scene. The passenger later told detectives he believed the men in the Mustang were the motorcyclists who had accosted them earlier. "It seemed kind of far-fetched to us that the assailants could switch vehicles and find the victims that quickly, but it's not impossible," Coffey said. Ketikyan moved with his family from Armenia in 1991. He worked at Jon's Market in West Hollywood while studying business at Valley College. "I just never thought something like that could happen to our family, until one day it does," Harut Ketikyan said. I live right below that exit 170N and Oxnard. And earlier that night I had been behind two guys on motorcycles who didn't accelerate from the light either. I was very close to honking my horn, but I usually don't do that, so once again I didn't. Just crazy how close to home that happened, and also that I was in a similar situation earlier that same day. I feel for his parents, family and friends, this is stupid. On TV last night they said the shooters might be Armenian as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel4hope Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 (edited) Something similar happened to me and a few friends- but no weapons were used- just outta jealousy and stupidity - they ganged up on us Edited March 10, 2004 by Seapahn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Wow that's scary. I try not to make eye contact with people on the road. It's really wild right now, people are always shooting or attack seemingly at randon. I'm safe when driving because this "road rage" is becoming somewhat serious. I just feel for his family, seemed like a good guy, working and studying you know. Sad.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armat Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 This is one sad and unfortunate tragedy that could of easily been avoided.I am a motorcyclist myself and many times people wanted to run over me but I let them go.No fingers,Nothing...It is not worth risking your life to prove you are a "man".This days life is indeed cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SALTnPEPA92 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 very very sad aztvatz hokin lusavori...when i heard i cryed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 All I can say is that the story sounds fishy. If the motorcycle guys were going to kill the guy, they would have killed him right away and not 15 minutes later ... but yah, stranger things have happened too. Something was probably said ... more things done ... something that escalated the situtation. And why leave a witness? If they shot 15 rounds, why not the passenger too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SALTnPEPA92 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 All I can say is that the story sounds fishy. If the motorcycle guys were going to kill the guy, they would have killed him right away and not 15 minutes later ... but yah, stranger things have happened too. Something was probably said ... more things done ... something that escalated the situtation. And why leave a witness? If they shot 15 rounds, why not the passenger too? seahphan i know huh....and who knows what he was invilved in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SALTnPEPA92 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 This is one sad and unfortunate tragedy that could of easily been avoided.I am a motorcyclist myself and many times people wanted to run over me but I let them go.No fingers,Nothing...It is not worth risking your life to prove you are a "man".This days life is indeed cheap. I dont drive myself but when my bro does i tell him u better not honk, because u never know people these days i swear "herika" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 All I can say is that the story sounds fishy. If the motorcycle guys were going to kill the guy, they would have killed him right away and not 15 minutes later ... but yah, stranger things have happened too. Something was probably said ... more things done ... something that escalated the situtation. And why leave a witness? If they shot 15 rounds, why not the passenger too? Yeah man it's kind of a dodgy story. It's just so close to my house, literally less than 1 mile, the next exit up! And I was so close to honking at two guys on bikes earlier in the day. Crazy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 ... And I was so close to honking at two guys on bikes earlier in the day. Crazy.... Hehehehe ... I think they would think twice before messin with a brotha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gevo27 Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 i hate honking horns, and i know friends,, older women who honked the horn once, and the guy started chasing them, the women drove to the polic ststion, and somehow ended up slamming into the wall.. and the cops came out, but the suspects sped away.. and were caught and weapons were found as well as narcotics... i hate people who honnk the horn for stupid reasons... i mean if there is danger i agree honk that crap.. but if its only for your own irritation, lets say its a slow driver, or someone not paying attention to the lights or a pedestrian taking forever to cross the street.. that is not a reason for honking... and if somone honks at me, i slow down even more.. HAHA.. suckers!!!! lol... i honk my horn if a car is backing out of the parking spot and not looking at me driving u, or even at other people walking across... but if someone drives slow.. ill just impatiently wait until i get to pass them.. and thats it.. usually it wont make the diff of more than like 1 minute.. lol.. but.. im kinda crazy behind the wheel.. yet i keep things safe.. if those 2 terms can go together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Anka_ Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 How would the bikers know where to find these guys (especially on a freeway).....somethings not right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Screw that I'm gonna get a gun, and honk freely. Someone want's to start something, I am armed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigil Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 (edited) What do you expect when all MTV broadcasts "gangstas" and "stripers". Edited May 31, 2004 by Vigil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted March 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 What do you expect when all MTV broadcasts "gangstas" and "stripers". I expect people to realize what is stupid, even if others think it's cool and to turn away. It's not going to happen, but hey I can have wild hopes and dreams. All this senseless b.s. has to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 It has to stop but it wont. People are stupid. I bet those shooters suffer from some major personality insecurity. Anyone who shoots anyone unarmed is quite simply, a p**sy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurgen Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Everytime I read something like this I wonder why there are so many disturbed people in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouse Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Maybe they were ugly babies and the doctor spanked them? Or maybe they just don't like the 170. I myself find that the ugliest fwy. No offense to anyone who lives around there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel4hope Posted March 12, 2004 Report Share Posted March 12, 2004 405 kicks ass- ya hand 170 is hella scarry hehe~ and the 5 can get a bit weird 2- but 405S kicks ass- carpool lane all da way hahahahhaha nm i think ive been out in the sun 2 much 2 day- like a sun dreid tomato- without the "dried" part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted March 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2004 Or maybe they just don't like the 170. I myself find that the ugliest fwy. No offense to anyone who lives around there. Hey hey hey....I'm offended! That's my Freeway there buddy! Bayts jeesht ek asum, 170'n dekher a. Just kind of quick and boring you know. From Lankershim area past Sheldon then it turns into the 5. But I exit 170 and Oxnard so it's my freeway and I love it because I have no choice. http://www.midvalleytowing.com/map%20one.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 13, 2004 Report Share Posted March 13, 2004 Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA March 10 2004 Hollywood man killed in mysterious freeway shooting By Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Detectives this morning were trying to unravel the mystery behind an early morning shooting along the Hollywood (170) Freeway that claimed the life of a Hollywood grocery clerk. Garen Ketikyab, 20, was gunned down by someone inside a white Ford Mustang just after midnight as he drove north on the freeway near Sherman Way. His passenger, whose name was not released for his safety, was uninjured. The assailants are believed to be the same men who, just minutes earlier, were riding motorcycles and got into a confrontation with the victims, police said. Detectives also originally believed the case might be connected to narcotics, gangs or other criminal activity. But that also proved false, and the motive remains a mystery. "We ran a check on Garen and the passenger, and neither have a criminal record," said Detective Mike Coffey, with the LAPD's North Hollywood Division. "All indications are that they are good, hard working kids. And they were just out having some fun and visiting friends." The drama began about 11:45 p.m. Monday when Ketikyan, a student at Valley College, and his passenger were stopped at the intersection of Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Victory Boulevard "cruising and looking for girls to talk to," Coffey said. They were inside a 1998 Mercury Marquis. At the traffic signal, there were two men on motorcycles and a woman driving a Lexus who were stopped in front of them. When the light turned green, the Lexus drove away but the men on motorcycles did not move. "The victim began honking his horn, and the men got off the bikes, removed their helmets and began walking toward the Mercury in a threatening manner," Coffey said, adding that the victims noticed the men were Armenian. "No words were exchanged but the incident scared them. Somehow the confrontation ended without incident and everyone drove away." About 15 minutes later Ketikyan was driving north on the Hollywood Freeway when a white Mustang, with chrome wheels and paper plates, pulled alongside them and someone inside fired between 10 and 15 rounds, striking Ketikyan in the head, Coffey said. A North Hollywood patrol officer on Sherman Way heard she shots, and saw Ketikyan's car come to a stop on the overpass. The passenger jumped out and began screaming for help as the officer raced up the onramp to investigate, Coffey said. Ketikyan was pronounced dead at the scene. The uninjured passenger told detectives he believed the men in the Mustang were the same people on the motorcycles. "It seemed kind of far-fetched to us that the assailants could switch vehicles and find the victims that quickly, but it's not impossible," Coffey said. "We're following all the leads we can." The northbound 170 Freeway was closed between Burbank Boulevard and Sherman Way until about 4:40 a.m. while police investigated the shooting, said California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos. Detectives did not have a good description of the suspects, except to say they are Armenian. They also want to question the woman who was driving the Lexus. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Coffey at the LAPD's North Hollywood station, (818) 623-4075. On weekends and during off-hours, contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at (877) LAWFULL, (877) 529-3855. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lessons_in_Life Posted March 15, 2004 Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 From reading what people have posted I see that people aren't concentrating on the important issue here. People are getting carried away with oh he honked or he didnt hon. Who cares??? And so if he did does that justify someone firing 15 times at him??..NO....!!! And someone mentioned that who knows what king of stuff he was involved in?...if he was involved in anything..belive me our media would have reported it already. And as to why the motorcyclists changed vehicles...maybe they didnt have the guns on them ..Maybe it was in their car and that's why the changed vehicles. Maybe because their motorcycles had plates and the car didn't. Maybe right?.... But all I can see from these postings is people questioning why he honked...Who cares why..None of you ( those who drive) can say you have only honked to help a little old lady from getting crushed by someone backing up...that would be a lie...I myself am a driver and know that if the light turns red and you dont drive ( which is what happend)..people from behind will honk to get your attention..... So before we as a group sit here and try to point fingers..we should realize the tragety of the situation. that a parent will bury their child and not the other way around...And that my friends should never EVER happen. A parent should never have to pick out a coffin for their child. All i can say is I have learned that there are much more crazy people in this world than I thought. To fire a whole clip at someone ..there's no excuse for that... No one has the right to take a life because we ourselves never created life. I am sure that these guys were some kind of drug addicts or something ..no one in the right mind could do that....As far as the victim well the police report says in ...No criminal Record...No signs of any Alcohol or Drug use.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted March 15, 2004 Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 I agree with Lessons on this one. My initial reaction was they must be in a gang or had to have done something and the story is still a bit fishy to me. They may have cursed at each other or what not, but does it justify a killing of a human being. Do we as humans have no value left in this society? As for the parents and family and all that I am sure non of us can understand the pain that they are going thru right now. By the way Lessons, welcome to HyeForum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel4hope Posted March 15, 2004 Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 godd everytime i read that or hear anout it i get goosebumps- that just scares that shi** outta me-- aye-- imagine 10 (was it 10?) shots in the head-- my godd... i have violence- phobia- these types o thinngs just scare the living cra** outta me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sev-mard Posted March 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2004 The average person isn't all that great. And living in Los Angeles it only gets worse. That's how I feel. I'm no punk but I don't pick fights or even honk at people in the street because you never know what crazy person you're dealing with. It's scary, because people don't care about who the kill or if they die, just murder for the sake of murder. It's quite disgusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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