Teenager Playing With Gun Kills Himself

EL MONTE — A 16-year-old youth shot himself to death, apparently by accident, while toying with a loaded handgun in front of his friends, police said Tuesday.

Jose Montoya, a junior at Valle Lindo Continuation High School, died shortly after 8 p.m. Monday from a gunshot wound to the head, officials said.

“He pulls out a .38-caliber revolver from his waistband and points it at his temple, saying, ‘Look at me,’ and laughing,” said El Monte Police Det. David Lazzarini. “At this point we think it is an accidental death. However, we are still investigating it.”