Four suspects were taken into custody in connection with the shooting death of a teenage boy who was walking in a Pacoima neighborhood, police said Wednesday.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, two teenagers were walking near the 13000 block of Carl Street around 7 p.m. on Jan. 8 when they were approached by suspects in a silver Dodge Charger. During a Wednesday news conference, LAPD homicide detective Guy Golan said the two teens lived at the San Fernando Gardens housing development.
One of the gunmen stood over Elmer Quintanilla as he laid on the ground and shot him multiple times. The victim had just finished playing basketball. https://t.co/UsJSkrohep
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) February 1, 2024
A brief conversation ensued, after which the front-seat passenger exited the vehicle and began shooting at the two teens, police said.
As the victims attempted to flee, two additional suspects also exited the vehicle and began firing shots at the teens, police said.
One of the victims fell to the ground, and the front-seat passenger stood over him, firing more rounds, according to police. The second victim managed to escape, but sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
The first teen — identified by family as 16-year-old Elmer Quintanilla — was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A motive for the attack was not known.
According to police, investigators searched multiple residences, “recovering several firearms and other pertinent evidence; arresting multiple suspects including all who fired upon the victims.”
“It’s tragic that we are all here to celebrate the arrests of the suspects in this case, because we want to try to avoid these circumstances to begin with,” said L.A. City Council member Monica Rodriguez. “We don’t want any other families to experience these losses. Public safety is a shared responsibility.”
Two juvenile suspects, who were not identified due to their age, were arrested Friday around 11:55 a.m. in the California City area near Mojave, police said. They were booked on suspicion of murder.
Giovanny Montesdeoca, 21, was arrested around 5 p.m. Friday near the 43500 block of Kirkland Avenue in Lancaster. He was booked on suspicion of murder and was being held without bail.
Jose Espinoza, 18, was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday in Oxnard, also on suspicion of murder, and was being held without bail, police said.
Operations-Valley Bureau Homicide detectives, with the assistance of the Foothill Area Gang Intelligence Team, the Community Safety Partnership Bureau and the Gang and Narcotics Division Federal Task Force, investigated the case.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to contact the LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide detectives at 818-374-9550. During non-business hours, calls should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.