DISPUTE TURNS TRAGIC NEIGHBOR SOUGHT IN DEADLY CONFRONTATION.

Byline: RACHEL URANGA Staff Writer

PACOIMA - Juan Jorge Gomez, 23, was newly engaged, a hard-working immigrant starting a new life in America.

Castulo Nevarez, 68, was a longtime resident of Pacoima who put trash cans on the street in front of his property and so jealously guarded those parking spaces that neighbors say he had bullied and abused them.

The two clashed late Tuesday, their harsh words and insults culminating in violence, with Gomez dead of a gunshot wound and Nevarez on the run.

"He was a grumpy old man but I never imagined something like this would happen," said Margarita Velasquez, a 33-year-old housewife who has lived across the street from Nevarez for more than a decade.

"It is such a dumb issue for somebody to be killed over."

At the curb where Gomez died, neighbors created an impromptu memorial, leaving flowers and a votive candle with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Luz Flores, 20, holding a picture of Gomez and wearing the diamond engagement ring he had recently given her, talked about the life they had planned.

They were going to move in together this weekend in preparation for the birth of their baby in the fall. She said he was saving money and sending money to his family back in Jalisco, Mexico.

"He helped everyone whenever they needed him," she said. "I just keep thinking they are playing, that he's going to come back."

Some neighbors said they had long complained to police about Nevarez, claiming he'd vandalized or dumped manure on cars that parked in front of the two homes he owned in the 13400 block of Brownell Street.

There was no way Gomez could know Nevarez's reputation. Just 23, he'd recently moved to the U.S. from Mexico and was living with his aunt in Sylmar.

A construction worker, he'd spent Tuesday installing tile in his cousin's home, next door to Nevarez. About 8:50 p.m., he moved Nevarez's trash cans so some of his friends could park their cars.

Omar Luna, Gomez's cousin, said Nevarez stormed out of his home, argued with Gomez and ultimately shot the younger man in the chest.

But other witnesses told police that Gomez was drinking and had used a glass beer bottle to threaten Nevarez, who fired in self-defense.

"There are always your family and neighborhood disputes, but it rarely comes to this," LAPD Detective Frank Bishop said.

Relatives also gathered Wednesday at the Nevarez residence, but they declined to talk, staying in seclusion as police went in and out of the house.

Police searched for Nevarez, whose white Honda was found at a relative's home in Panorama City. Police also were investigating whether he may have fled to Northern California or Mexico, where he also has family.

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Luz Flores fights back tears as she looks at a photo of her fiance, Juan Jorge Gomez, 23.

(2) A memorial sits next to the curb for Juan Jorge Gomez, 23, who was shot and killed by a neighbor during an argument over what he considered reserved street parking spaces.

(3) Luz Flores holds a crucifix as she sits with family. Her fiance, Juan Jorge Gomez, 23, was shot and killed by a neighbor during an argument over the placement of trash cans.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(4 -- color) no caption (Juan Jorge Gomez)