18-year-old man shot dead during altercation outside Norwalk home

Teen killed in online sale meetup in Norwalk

An 18-year-old was killed in an apparent online meetup that ended in a shooting.

NORWALK, Calif. - An investigation continues after an 18-year-old man was shot to death following an altercation in Norwalk Wednesday afternoon, officials said. 

What we know:

Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were called to a home at the intersection of Pioneer Boulevard and Los Alisos Circle around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. 

Arriving deputies discovered the victim, identified by the LA County medical examiner’s office as Giovanni Bliss Chavez, suffering from a gunshot wound. 

Chavez was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

What they're saying:

According to authorities, Chavez and his teen brother were selling clothes outside their apartment when an altercation took place. During that confrontation, the suspect drew a handgun and shot Chavez. 

Family members say Chavez was meeting with someone from an online forum, possibly OfferUp, to sell clothes.

"He was actually selling some clothes," said Eduardo Castro, a family member. "I'm not sure if it was OfferUp or any other link. What transpired after that, we don't know."

Chavez was about to become a father, a fact that has left his family devastated.

"He was going to be a dad," said Roxanne, Chavez's mother. "He was excited. He had everything ready." 

Roxanne also described her son as "an amazing kid" with "a beautiful heart."

A memorial is growing outside the gated apartment complex along Los Alisos Circle where Chavez was shot. 

"I want justice for him," said Amber, a neighbor. "He was too young. He was such a good kid. He was sweet."

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What we don't know:

A description of the suspect was not available. No arrests have been made in the case as of June 5.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact the LA County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.