LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – Four people were shot and killed in a series of shootings that occurred in southeast Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department referred to the shootings as a “random murder spree” following the arrest of two suspects.
The shooting deaths took place within a five-mile radius in the cities of Huntington Park, Bell, Cudahy, and Los Angeles. Homicide investigators are treating the deaths as a series of random attacks, but they have not ruled out any possibilities at this time.
The two suspects in custody have been identified as 42-year-old Gary Garcia Jr. and 21-year-old Wayne McNeely Timberland. While both men are believed to be affiliated with gangs, the authorities do not believe that the victims were specifically targeted in the shootings.
The first victim, Kevin Parada, 24, was found shot in a driveway near an elementary school in Bell. Shortly after, a 14-year-old boy, Javier Pedraza Jr., was killed outside a learning center in Cudahy. Another unidentified man was found shot in the city of Huntington Park. The shootings occurred within a short time frame, leaving the communities in shock.
Authorities were able to track down the suspects and take them into custody after spotting their vehicle in San Bernardino County. Investigators are working diligently to establish a connection between the suspects and the victims, as well as to determine a potential motive for the shootings.
The devastating impact of these murders has prompted family members to seek help through fundraising campaigns to cover funeral expenses. They have described the victims as innocent individuals who did not have any gang affiliations, leaving them with more questions than answers.
The community has been left reeling from the senseless violence, with local officials and law enforcement working to bring those responsible to justice. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has urged anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The tragic loss of innocent lives has left a deep impact on the affected communities, and the authorities are committed to finding those responsible and ensuring that justice is served.