Who was Ana Lizarraga?
Ana Lizarraga, also known as “The Gang Lady”, was a gang counselor who worked with the Community Youth Gang Services in Los Angeles. She grew up in the Ramona Gardens housing project, where she witnessed the violence and poverty of gang life. She dedicated her life to helping young people avoid gangs and find positive alternatives. She also served as a technical adviser and had a small role in the film “American Me”, which depicted the history of the Mexican Mafia and Latino prison gangs.
How did she die?
Ana Lizarraga was shot and killed by two masked gunmen on May 13, 1992, outside her home in East Los Angeles. She was preparing to leave for Utah to attend her mother’s funeral, when the assailants approached her and fired several shots at close range. A police officer witnessed the shooting and called for backup. One suspect, Jose Gilbert Gonzalez, a member of the Hazard Street gang, was arrested at the scene. The other suspect escaped and was never identified.
Why was she killed?
The motive for Ana Lizarraga’s murder remains unclear. Police said it was not gang-related, but rather an execution-style killing. Some speculated that it might have been related to her involvement in the film “American Me”, which angered some members of the Mexican Mafia and prison gangs. The film, directed by Edward James Olmos, was intended to expose the harsh realities of gang life and discourage young people from joining gangs. However, some gang leaders felt that the film portrayed them in a negative and disrespectful way, and threatened anyone who cooperated with the film. Another technical adviser for the film, Charles Manriquez, a reputed member of the Mexican Mafia, was also shot and killed at the Ramona Gardens project two months before Ana Lizarraga’s death2.
What was her legacy?
Ana Lizarraga’s death shocked and saddened the community, especially the young people she had helped and mentored. Hundreds of people attended her funeral at Santa Teresita Church in Boyle Heights, where she was praised as a woman of respect and courage. She was buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello. Her work as a gang counselor inspired many others to follow her example and continue her mission. She was also remembered as a pioneer and a role model for Latina women in the field of social work and community service.
