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Vigil held for man killed in nightclub attack

by M. Dilworth • October 2, 2013

Surrounded by family members and loved ones, wife Maria and son Victor, hold a poster of Luciano Meza Juarez at a candlelight vigil in his memory on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. (Photo by TONY CHEVAL)
Surrounded by family members and loved ones, wife Maria and son Victor, hold a poster of Luciano Meza Juarez at a candlelight vigil in his memory on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. (Photo by TONY CHEVAL)

LANCASTER –Dozens of family members and loved ones gathered in front of the Mango Tango nightclub Tuesday evening to remember 49-year-old Luciano Meza Juarez, the man who died after a brutal assault at the nightclub on Sept. 28.

Holding flowers, balloons and pictures, loved ones took turns sharing heartfelt stories about Juarez. They also signed messages on a poster bearing Juarez’s picture. Juarez was a construction worker who had a “big heart for everyone,” loved to have fun and never caused any trouble, family members said. He is survived by his wife Maria Palacios, three children, and three grandchildren.

Juarez was assaulted in the bathroom of Mango Tango on Sept. 28. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
Juarez was assaulted in the bathroom of Mango Tango on Sept. 28. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

Sheriff’s detectives have released little details about the incident that claimed Juarez’s life, saying only that he was “the victim of an assault at a local bar.” Detectives said one suspect is in custody, but they have not released the name of the suspect.

The assault was reported around 12:37 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at Mango Tango, in the 44200 Block of Division Street in Lancaster, detectives said.

Juarez was at the nightclub with his 24-year-old son and some friends to dance and have a good time, family members said.

Juarez, shown with his grandson, loved to have fun and never caused any trouble, family members said.
Juarez, shown with his grandson, loved to have fun and never caused any trouble, family members said.

Victor Palacios said he left his father dancing with some buddies and went to meet a friend at a gas station.

“When I left, that’s when everything had happened,” Palacios said. “When I came back, there was already cop cars everywhere.”

Sister-in-law Maria Zamora said detectives told the family Juarez was assaulted in the bathroom and passed away at the nightclub.

Zamora said she spoke to witnesses who said there were at least two assailants.

“There’s people that saw, when the door to the bathroom was open, that he was convulsing from the trauma and the two people were still hitting him and kicking him,” Zamora said, adding that one of the assailants also searched Juarez’s pockets.

Sheriff’s officials said Juarez died of a head injury.

“He got beaten [in the head] with the urinal on the wall,” Zamora said.

Family members are asking for the public’s help in finding the second assailant and bringing him to justice. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

The family is also hosting a car wash fundraiser this Saturday, Oct. 5, to help cover the cost of burying Juarez in his native Mexico. The fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 5, at the Smog & Gas Station, located at 1007 West Avenue I in Lancaster. For more information on this fundraiser, contact Dr. Miguel Coronado at Agents of Change at 661-466-6810.

“As a representative of this community, as a representative of the Latino community, I’m going to exhaust all my efforts to make sure that these people come to justice and that they be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Coronado said.

Previous related story: Man dies after assault at Lancaster nightclub

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Lancaster

8 comments for "Vigil held for man killed in nightclub attack"

  1. Mauro Delacruz says

    October 3, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    It is so sad that a man like Luciano ( CHANO ) was assaulted Ending losing his life .. He was such nice man , friend to a lot of people in town !! My condolences To his wife Maria Lola and his Family. I know this family for about 23 years I’ve been trying to get hold of them but I don’t have they address or ph number .. But I will try my best to join them this Saturday to help them out if some one know his address or his wife ph number pls plzzzzz Contact me ASAP here is my number 661 733 2443 thanks

  2. Miguel Coronado says

    October 2, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Readers, Friends and Supports,

    Please come out and support the Meza-Juarez family. Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 10:00 to 5:00 PM., at the corner of 10st West and Ave I. 1007 W. Avenue I, Lancaster. Please contact me for more information.

    Please refer any members of the Antelope Valley who experienced violent crimes, accidents, discrimination or any kind of injustice. Agents of Change is an organization that focuses on civil rights, human rights, education and the pursuit of justice. Please let us know how we can service our public.

    As Founder of Suarez-Coronado Agents of Change, I am seeking ultimately to prepare our members to be effective servant leaders and agents of change. We seek to foster the creation of a just and equitable community by supporting efforts to improve the quality of life of all citizens in the Antelope Valley.

    S.C. Agents of Change believe in justice, peace, righteousness, and truth. We believe that love, altruism, active compassion, and empathy must be extended universally and impartially to all human beings.

    I pledged to my community and fellow member of S.C. Agents of Change continuous encouragement of initiative, responsibility, accountability, and energy in serving our residents in the Antelope Valley.

    Dr. Suarez-Coronado Agents of Change is guided by a commitment to individual dignity, service excellence, accountability, responsibility, empathy, compassion, and belief in the solidarity of the human family.

    One of the primary tenets of S.C. Agents of Change is to foster a commitment to others. As a vital means of honoring that duty, S.C. Agents of Change has established a Public Service program that requires all members to devote their time, talents, and energy to serve all people in the Antelope Valley.

    VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

    Equal Access
    Our services are accessible to all people irrespective of education, economic status, language, race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

    Dignity and Respect
    We encourage self-determination, and honor the dignity and rights of the people we serve.

    Cultural Competency
    We honor the cultural backgrounds, values, and preferences of the people we serve.

    Collaboration
    We partner with individuals, families, service providers, community organizations, foundations, city governments, county government, state government, federal government and the community at large to ensure that our educational services promote responsive, efficient, and innovative solutions to current and emergent challenges.

    Integrity
    We communicate consistently, honestly and openly and demonstrate integrity in all aspects of our work.

    I pledged to my community and fellow member of S.C. Agents of Change continuous encouragement of initiative, responsibility, accountability, and energy in serving our residents in the Antelope Valley.

    Dr. Miguel Suarez-Coronado
    Agents of Change Founder
    (661) 466-6810
    agentsofchange13@gmail.com

    • what?? says

      October 2, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      Ummm what? Is this article about the victim and his untimely
      Death…..or this Yahoo style advertising?
      The issue I find Hinky is the LASD not getting any info out for I.D.
      Purposes…and that the familia has to do their investigation…
      Sad, good job overworked department… maybe the exhaust from
      You ideling your cars and such have made your minds MUSH!!
      Good thing our taxes pay that fuel bill…. Carry On…..Carry On..

      • AVGirl says

        October 3, 2013 at 7:40 am

        it is very possible that there are circumstances surrounding the second assailant that can’t be released due to a pending investigation.

        I think I would be more outraged that the witness did nothing while a man was being beaten to death. There were obviously witnesses, why did they stand by and let it happen in the first place?

      • Mr. Mister says

        October 3, 2013 at 9:19 am

        Mr. Coronado is helping out the family. As a family friend, I personally know that this article and the prior one regarding Luciano, as well as articles in the AV Press, have been made possible by Mr. Coronado’s efforts. They are not very familiar with the media or legal process, so he is helping them everyday through every step of the way. It may seem like advertisement, but he is letting the community know that if you are in need like this family, he will be there to help. Had I not seen him personally at the vigil myself, I would feel the same way you do.

        Please everybody help out if you can, by attending this car wash. Also there will be a donation jar placed at Pharmacy Boardshop later this afternoon to assist with memorial costs. This is a very sad time for the family and they are so very modest, sincere, and would be there to help out if you needed it. It’s just so insane having known the family for over 10 years and have to witness something this cowardly. What’s even more cowardly is that the suspect detained may possibly have ties to the sheriff’s dept via a cousin/brother/father, which is why his name has yet to be released. So you can imagine that this makes it even more frustrating and hurtful to the kin. Again, if you can, please make it to the carwash or Pharmacy Boardshop on the BLVD.

        Thank you in advance.

        • Mr. Mister says

          October 3, 2013 at 11:46 am

          Actually both Pharmacy Boardshop locations will have donation jars. The one located at 661 W Lancaster Blvd and the one in the mall which is across from See’s Candies and a few meters down (toward Sears). Jars will be dropped off early this evening around 6:30pm or so. Please, if you can, donate at one of the 2 locations or make it to the carwash this Saturday at the Smog Station on 10th St West and Ave I. Your donations will be more than appreciated.

    • sikntired says

      October 2, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      Tacky using this man’s untimely death to further your own attempts to insert your politics into this community.

      Condolences to the family for this horrible loss.

    • Yo Mama says

      October 7, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      There was a dude, Abdul the Fool, that used this site as a pulpit. You should get lost, too, Coronado. LEAVE MY COUNTRY!!!

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