...for the family of Roberto Lopez, to help pay for the four-year-old's funeral can be made in a few different ways:

The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce is taking donation for the Lopez family: You may mail a check or pay by credit card online, here.

According to Efrim Chiavetta of ACLA:

Art.Community.Land.Activism! (formerly ARTScorpsLA) is coordinating with CD1 and the mayor's office to direct victim's assistance money to the family as well as open a memorial fund in either the father's or the grandfather's name that people may then donate directly to.

There is also a fundraising car wash being hosted by Bethel Temple at 1250 Bellevue Ave. in the neighborhood on Saturday the 17 from 8 - 4. Spiraling will have some kidz there to support the effort and to represent the park.

We are also working with victims services and the department of mental health to provide counseling for youth, adults or families at Spiraling Orchard.

Even in the midst of this tragedy, the kids from Spiraling Orchard proved, once again, how totally and completely amazing they are, helping to prepare food for Robert's family ... and planning fundraising and prayer events at the park.

Best, Efrim Chiavetta, ACLA, 1246 W. Court St., Los Angeles, CA 90026

Chiavetta provided the following bank information for making donations directly to the family:
Wells Fargo Bank
Accnt. # 8046493014

The account is in the family name, and people may contribute at any Wells Fargo Branch, or if they also have an account with Wells Fargo they may transfer money directly to the memorial account.

As has been reported widely, the police have arrested a suspect. It sounds like a combination of factors led to the quick arrest: a high level of community cooperation, and the LAPD went out of its way to send Spanish-speaking cops to talk to potential witnesses. The horror of this particular killing motivated everyone. At least as far as finding the shooter goes. Now how about those gun makers? Is anyone looking for them?

LA Times story here.

Meanwhile, a neighbor of some of the gang members on Edgeware told me yesterday that the gang members were wearing black T-shirts instead of their usual white T's.

I haven't heard yet how Roberto's mother and her baby are doing.