http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/04/11/state/n053330D01.DTL&tsp=1

Over a damn car?

Condolences to USC family.

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

---

Wow. I wouldn't say my first reaction after reading this was "tsk tsk, they got what they deserved." (unlike, say, that story where a kid got decapitated by a roller coaster in GA because he climbed over a fence to retrieve a lost hat)

Awful story.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

---

Are you serious? You know what is sad? What is sad is that you put some of the blame for this on those with the nice car. What is sad is that you point out a race of people in this issue. What is truely sad is that someone would shot someone else for what they have.

LafayetteBear;735493 said:

---

This is JUST the kind of news that USC needs to avoid. I'm not sure where "West Adams" is, but I'm assuming it is one of the sketchy neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the SC campus. Small wonder that SC is investing in a huge new housing/commercial development to be located entirely within the SC campus.

---

I'm pretty sure that means they were immediately west/southwest of campus, which from what I've been told, is the least safe direction to go from the fenced-in USC compound.

awful

West Adams is the area just North of the USC campus. I would NEVER be there late at night. Hell, didn't feel all that safe on a Friday night at 10:30 around Staples when I needed to get over to the 5 to get back to San Diego.

Adams and 27th is not a nice area at all, especially at night. But it is a place right near campus that I"m sure serves as home to many students. Them hanging out there at night isn't unlike cal students hanging out in front of their apartments/homes at night in sketchier parts of berkeley. I would never go there at night, but that's only because I'm older and know enough to be afraid.

Condolences to the families and friends. Noone deserves this.

LafayetteBear;735493 said:

---

This is JUST the kind of news that USC needs to avoid. I'm not sure where "West Adams" is, but I'm assuming it is one of the sketchy neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the SC campus. Small wonder that SC is investing in a huge new housing/commercial development to be located entirely within the SC campus.

---

The "West Adams" label has expanded beyond its original boundaries. Generally it means the area west of the USC campus, south of the 10 and stretching out to Crenshaw.

I actually drove past the SC campus on Figueroa yesterday around lunchtime for the first time in several years. Ironically, I was thinking how gentrified the area immediately around campus and the California Science Center looked.

And for the record, I did see several BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, most of which were being driven by white people.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

---

Totally! I mean, the ONLY nice cars on that campus are driven by the 'new Chinese wealthy'. /sarcasm

Have you been to or around that campus? Your reaction to this story seems to indicate otherwise. Rather than blame the victims, how about we chalk this one up to bad luck and not let the exception become the rule.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy.

---

Riiiiight, because in a good economy, these carjackers would be honest, hard-working contributors to society. You have a right to your biases towards wealthy chinese but let's try not to blame these kids for this.

Does anyone actually think race is the/an issue here? Assuming the motive for the shooting is carjacking/robbery, does anyone think they would not have been shot had they been any other race? Nice cars around the USC campus is not unusual at all, and all races of rich kids drive nice cars there.

Did it say that the victims were Chinese? I didn't see that in the article. If it is true, look for a down tick of Asian enrollment in the near future.

Local news in LA identified both victims as Chinese international grad students.

they were from China. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/man-woman-fatally-shot-near-usc-were-students-from-china-police-say.html


And to some degree....it's well-known in the Chinese-American community that the international students who attend USC are those who come from affluent families in China. When my dad was a grad student there, he said all the undergrads drove fancy cars and most were definitely spoiled.

Not to say they deserved anything (of course not cause that's horrible), but it is a relatively factual statement that the chinese students who ultimately pick USC tend to be pretty well off.

either way, I would never go to West Adams at night. especially parked and sitting in a BMW

really, REALLY sad.


But I have family that lives in West Adams, and one thing I've noticed is there are definitely 'safer' pockets in the neighborhood, but if you're on the wrong block in the wrong car and you stand out, you WILL be converged on.

And yes, at USC and at LMU, the wealthy international students definitely flaunt expensive nice rides.

But this is truly a tragedy and feel for the deceased and their familes involved. Hope the perp gets caught.

The LAT blog ID's the scene of the crime: 27th & Raymond. Google Street View it and you'll see fences around 3 of the 4 corner lots....

HarborBear93;735513 said:

---

Does anyone actually think race is the/an issue here? Assuming the motive for the shooting is carjacking/robbery, does anyone think they would not have been shot had they been any other race? Nice cars around the USC campus is not unusual at all, and all races of rich kids drive nice cars there.

---

If they were Armenians they wouldn't have been shot. They would have found the bodies of the carjackers in an alley with their feet cut off.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers.

---

This sounds a lot like saying kids should not wear hoodies because it makes other people look at them like thugs and therefore it makes them easy targets for neighborhood watchmen.

bearister;735541 said:

---

If they were Armenians they wouldn't have been shot. They would have found the bodies of the carjackers in an alley with their feet cut off.

---

AP doesn't exactly roam those parts of LA though.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

---

The blame for this falls entirely on the scumbag who killed these two human beings. Having money or nice things doesn't give anyone ANY sort of right to try and take it away. Blaming the victims is part of the loser/ criminal appeaser culture that is making society worse.

More police on the streets would be a much better solution than "don't drive nice cars." What a bunch of crap!

swimmingbear;735545 said:

---

This sounds a lot like saying kids should not wear hoodies because it makes other people look at them like thugs and therefore it makes them easy targets for neighborhood watchmen.

---

This.

The following letter was sent to all USC students. Notice the pr spin In paragraph four.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Vice President for Student Affairs <vpsa@usc.edu>
Date: April 11, 2012 10:51:28 AM PDT
To: all-students-l@usc.edu
Subject: Letter regarding tragic events this morning
Reply-To: vpsa@usc.edu

April 11, 2012

*

******************

Dear USC students:

*

Many of you have heard or read about the tragic event that occurred early this morning in the neighborhood west of campus. Two of our international graduate students were shot and killed while sitting in a car on Raymond Avenue near the intersection of Normandie Avenue and Adams Boulevard. We are not able to release the names of the students until we reach their next of kin.

*

Our community is saddened and outraged by this callous and meaningless act. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims' families and friends and all who knew them at USC. The university is reaching out to those affected, offering counseling and support.

*

The Los Angeles Police Department and our Department of Public Safety are working aggressively to solve this crime.

*

This incident occurred outside the neighborhood areas where over the past several years we have steadily increased our security presence, adding dozens of security and license plate recognition cameras, uniformed officers, and yellow-jacketed security ambassadors. However, tragedies such as this morning's remind us that we all need to be continuously vigilant about safety and security.

*

While crime in our community is low compared to other areas of Los Angeles, we want to reassure you about ongoing efforts to promote safety in the neighborhoods around campus, including a public safety task force for students, parents, faculty and staff; a community safety task force with the USC Family of Schools; and a collaboration on public safety issues between the Department of Public Safety and the area's neighborhood councils. These efforts, among others, have succeeded in significantly improving safety in our surrounding community.

*

Finally, we urge anyone who would like counseling or other support to contact Student Affairs at (213) 740-2421 or Student Counseling Services at (213) 740-7711. Other important resources include Trojans Care for Trojans, at sait.usc.edu/ca/tc4t/, and for faculty and staff needing assistance, the USC Center for Work and Family Life at (213) 821-0800.* Chaplaincy services are also available through the Office of Religious Life at 213-740-6110.

*

We will provide more information as we receive it on planned remembrances for our students.

*

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Trojan family.

*

*

Michael L. Jackson *************************** Todd Dickey

Vice President, Student Affairs******** Senior Vice President, Administration

The L.A.Times describes the victims as international students from China who were both in graduate school. The location of the shooting is 5 or 6 blocks north and west of the northwest corner of campus. It is possible that the foreign graduate students did not realize the risks of the neighborhood. The article and updates mention that the car was found in the street, not parked at the curb. One could speculate that the passenger was being dropped off.

CalBearinLA;735522 said:

---

they were from China. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/man-woman-fatally-shot-near-usc-were-students-from-china-police-say.html


And to some degree....it's well-known in the Chinese-American community that the international students who attend USC are those who come from affluent families in China. When my dad was a grad student there, he said all the undergrads drove fancy cars and most were definitely spoiled.

Not to say they deserved anything (of course not cause that's horrible), but it is a relatively factual statement that the chinese students who ultimately pick USC tend to be pretty well off.

either way, I would never go to West Adams at night. especially parked and sitting in a BMW

---

Almost all international students who attend US colleges and universities are wealthy. They're not eligible for any kind of financial aid, and many schools have a need-aware (as opposed to need-blind) policy in evaluating international students. Only the rich people can afford to send their kids to the US, paying the full sticker price on tuition.
There may be a handful of academic scholarships for international students, but those are rare.

My sister's son had a meeting with USC admissions on Monday and was told that 40% of the USC student body are international students. Got to pay the bills somehow.

Cal has a growing % of int'l students in the undergrad student body as well. I'll bet for us, it's even more of a survival move.

Back on topic (sort of), USC seems to have pretty ambitious plans for the area around campus. Seems like they want to create their own Westwood Village.
The Village at USC

I went to USC for grad school in the late mid to late 90s. The area around SC has greatly improved from I was in graduate school. Its still not Westwood, and you have to use common sense like in any big city. It sounds like the two students involved in the incident just got very unlucky.

On the other hand, when I visited Berkeley last year, I thought the southside was significantly worse than when I was an undergraduate in the late 80s. Or perhaps I was naive and did not realize how bad it was. I also remember even in the 80s, there were quite a few criminal incidents involving Cal students, so I am not sure we should throw too many stones at SC.

I am confident you could make a reservation for death at 1 am around People's Park any day of your choosing.

bearister;735637 said:

---

I am confident you could make a reservation for death at 1 am around People's Park any day of your choosing.

---

There really isn't an egregious amount of violence around People's Park relative to any other area in Berkeley unless you're a homeless person actually living there.

The vagrants at People's Park are not the ones committing violent crimes.

I've only been in Berkeley during the day since I graduated but the south side seems slightly better than when I was there. Mostly it's because there's been some redevelopment as well as new business that have taken over old ones.

I never felt south side was that unsafe. Of course, during late night, I would always walk quickly and be aware of my surroundings but I never felt that unsafe. Having lived above Durant & Telegraph for a few months the worst things I noticed were the inevitable fights that occurred outside of Kip's on drinking nights.

bearister;735637 said:

---

I am confident you could make a reservation for death at 1 am around People's Park any day of your choosing.

---

lol 1 am? That area is still bustling with students til 3 am. I used to live on Hillegass, People's park area isn't as shady as it used to be.

tenplay;735472 said:

---

It's sad that the new Chinese wealthy give their children luxury cars not knowing that they are setting them up as easy targets of carjackers. They should learn that it is not smart to flaunt their wealth especially in neighborhoods that are suffering from the bad economy. They should also be aware that home invasion robbers follow drivers with fancy cars to their homes putting their loved ones at great risk. I gave my sons clunkers when they graduated high school. No regrets here.

---

Seriously?

I love the Trayvon comparison of hoodies.

That being said, this is very disheartening to hear and I wish the best for the families of the students. I hope LAPD find the suspects and arrest them.

As for if race is involved or not, I don't think so (shocking from me!). I assume having a luxury car was what made them the target in the first place.

telegraph area by Oakland is less dangerous now than when I lived by Alcatel area in 92.. That park area by 62nd, bushrob? was particularly scary back then.

I just wanted to note that there had been strings of armed robberies around Southside during my years at Cal (I believe they had some this past semester as well). I remember getting emails about not listening to iPods while on our way home because students are easy targets since everyone knows we carry laptops and cell phones on us in our backpacks.