BOY, 15, SLAIN NEAR SCHOOL SUN VALLEY FAMILY, POLY HIGH CLASSMATES WEEP; POLICE SEEK SUSPECTS.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

SUN VALLEY - Before leaving for school Thursday morning, 15-year-old Santiago Polanco Jr. asked his mother if they could go shopping for new shoes when he got home, and she, of course, agreed.

``He said, 'You know what Mom? I love you. And I told him, `I love you too, mi hijo,'' said the boy's mother, Anna Ornelas.

``He never made it here to buy shoes.''

Police say Santiago was gunned down about 11:35 a.m. Thursday as he walked with friends through an alley near Francis Polytechnic High School, where he was a freshman. A green Jeep Cherokee drove up next to Santiago, and one of at least two passengers with shaved heads fired several times, striking him in the upper torso, police said.

Police were investigating Friday whether the shooting was gang-related. They had no suspects.

Grief counselors were at the high school Friday, and a makeshift memorial was set up at the site where the teen was slain.

``A lot of students who never knew him are being respectful of the feelings on campus,'' Principal Christine Clark said. ``I'm very numb. You don't often, thank goodness, have to deal with this type of circumstance.'' The school sent a letter home with students notifying them of the slaying and assuring parents, ``All necessary steps in providing a safe campus with a sound educational environment will be maintained and intensified.''

The letter said that school police and Los Angeles police would be providing additional security on campus.

Family and friends described Santiago as a sweet boy who liked shopping and going to the movies.

The baby in a family with two older siblings, Santiago wanted to be the first to graduate from high school, his sister, Elizabeth Polanco, said through tears. ``He wanted to get a job and start helping my mom,'' she said.

Family members said he had many friends and was not involved in gangs.

``I hope the guy who did it regrets what he did to my son,'' Anne Ornelas said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact North Hollywood LAPD Detectives Robert Morales or Andres Alegria at [phone] or, after hours, contact the North Hollywood LAPD station's front desk at [phone].