Vicente David Gonzalez, BHS 1996

Vicente David Gonzalez, BHS 1996

Burbank Leader, March 1998

21-year-old is Burbank's third homicide of the year

Man killed in fight between rival gangs at Buena Vista Motel. Police hunt for suspects.

Media District North - Burbank police were searching Tuesday for the killer or killers of a 21-year-old Burbank man slain in the city's third homicide in three months.

Vicente Gonzalez who was shot in the head and stomach early Sunday morning at the Buena Vista Motel on Buena Vista Street, following an arguement between rival gang members, said Burbank Police Lt. Don Brown. Gonzalez was taken off life-support at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Monday afternoon and was pronounced dead shortly after, hospital officials confirmed.

No arrests were made as of late Tuesday in the incident, which Brown said involved as many as 100 people, including gang members from Burbank and Los Angeles. Brown would not say whether Gonzalez was a gang member.

The shooting occurred just after midnight Sunday at the motel located at 2255 N Buena Vista Street. The two gangs were holding seperate parties in rented rooms when they became aware of the other's presence and began to argue, Brown said.

The argument quickly escalated to bottle throwing. Then someone fired shots -- but not at random, Brown said. "Witnesses indicate  that the victim was chased down and shot," he said. "It's definitely 'murder one.' "

No one else was injured in the incident. Brown said police did not know how many people were actually involved in the shooting. At the time of the incident there were several other parties -- not gang related -- going on at the motel, Brown said. The gangs, both with as many as 1,000 members from Burbank and Los Angeles, are well known to area law enforcement, Brown said. Police were checking out solid leads in the case, he said.

Police believe party-goers and employees at the motel early Sunday may have seen the crime and may be able to identify the shooter. Brown said police have questioned or interviewed between 30 to 40 people. Phone calls to the motel management were not answered Monday and Tuesday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burbank Leader, March 1998

Police continue search in third homicide of year

Vincente Gonzalez, 21, is buried. Co-worker says Burbank resident was trying to get out of gang life.

San Fernando - As grieving family and friends of 21-year-old Vincente David Gonzalez laid him to rest Friday in a simple ceremony at San Fernando Mission Chapel, Burbank Police continued the search for his killer or killers.

Gonzalez a lifetime Burbank resident, was gunned down Sunday morning at the Buena Vista Motel following a brawl among dozens of rival gang members who were holding separate parties in rooms there, police said. Gonzalez  apparently was chased down by gamg members and shot in the head and stomach.

Authorities are keeping quiet on how close they are to an arrest in the city's third homicide of the year, saying they don't want to jeopardize their case. Thet do however, say they are working on solid leads.

Gonzalez, a former busboy at Bobby McGee's restaurant, was trying to disassociate himself from gang life according to a friend who identified herself only as a close co-worker. "Vincent was hard-working, he was trying to get out of that whole thing." she said. "He had just been promoted."

She remembered him as caring and funny. Gonzalez was beloved by staff at the restaurant and many employees attended the funeral, she said. "He will be very missed," she said. Police have declined to say whether Gonzalez was a member of a gang.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burbank Leader, March 1998

Mr. Vincente David Gonzalez, 21, died March 2, 1998 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. Mr. Gonzalez was born in California. He lived in Burbank all his life. He was an employee of Bobby McGee's restaurant.

Mr. Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Irma Alvarado; brothers, Gilbert and Enrique Gonzalez; and sisters, Elvita Gonzalez, Cynthia Alvarado and Tiffany Navarro.

Funeral services were Friday, March 6 at San Fernando Mission Chapel. Interment followed at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. The Valley Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Note: Do not know if he graduated from BHS. The above photo is from the 1994 yearbook and he was a member of the Tech Club. Do not know if he is a Soph, Junior or Senior in this photo.