Family to Gather to Mourn Slain Valet

The family of the longtime valet and father of two who was slain at a West Hollywood nightclub is gathering today for his funeral.

The private ceremony, to be held at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, will celebrate the life of a man identified by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives as Juan Gabriel Camargo. The L.A. County Coroner's office identified him as Gabriel Camaro and he was known in the community as "Luis."

Camargo, 43, was on duty at the Guys and Dolls nightclub located on the 8700 block of Beverly Boulevard when he was struck by a stray bullet and killed just after 2 a.m. on July 19, according to Jeff Leslie of the Homicide Division of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

Camargo worked as a valet for 16 years, according to a friend. He is survived by his wife, Claudia Andrade, and two children, Jimmy, 15, and Joanna, 9.  

The funeral was delayed a week until family from Mexico City could obtain emergency visas and make the journey to Los Angeles, a family member said.

Detectives say the shooting occurred after an altercation that began in front of the nightclub and spilled into the street, where gunfire erupted.

The suspect reportedly got into a waiting, black-colored vehicle, and fled eastbound on Beverly Boulevard.

Camargo, who apparently was not involved in the argument, was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Two other people were injured. A male adult, who suffered a gunshot wound to his upper torso, remains hospitalized. A female adult, who was shot in the ankle, was treated and released.

No arrests have been made and authorities say they have few leads. "We're looking for at least one black male," Leslie said.

After the shooting, news reports described the getaway car as a Bentley or Rolls-Royce and provided a partial license plate, but Leslie said that information was inaccurate.

Information about the shooting can be reported to the L.A. County Sheriff's Homicide Division at (323) 890-5500.