By Megan G. Razzetti
The body of East Los Angeles College student athlete Saieed Ivey was found in the backseat of a Mercedes at the 800 block of west El Repetto Drive in Monterey Park Thursday.
According to a news release sent out by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who are working with the Monterey Police Department in the investigation, MPPD responded to a “Gunshot Call” where they discovered a light colored Mercedes with the lights on.
Ivey was found with a single gunshot in the upper torso and pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Fire Department had been called to the scene after MPPD discovered Ivey unresponsive in the back seat of the locked car.
LASD homicide detectives were told by witnesses that Ivey was with friends at a gathering and had walked off from the group.
Ivey played as guard on ELAC men’s basketball team and is originally from Chicago, Illinois.
Ivey’s mother Chareda Carter flew out from Chicago and confirmed that it was Ivey on KTLA.
“Saieed is a really great kid. So many people loved him,” Carter said to reporters.
In an email sent out by the office of ELAC President Marvin Martinez this morning, Martinez expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the family at this time.
The email also said that according to men’s basketball coach John Mosley, Ivey was an exceptional young man who was not only an outstanding basketball player, but a dedicated student who was interested in becoming a lawyer.
There is no suspect information and the investigation is on-going.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Those who wish to remain anonymous may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
For those who wish to speak to someone, grief counseling will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today in E1-216 (Conference Room). Also, oOn Monday a crisis team visit from the Department of Mental Health will be at the Men’s Gym from 3-5 p.m.