LOS ANGELES, CA – Nearly five years ago, Alfredo Carrera and his friend, Jose Flores Velasquez, were tragically murdered in South Los Angeles. The two men, who had no gang affiliations, were caught in a deadly encounter solely because they were standing in a rival gang’s territory. Carrera was on the verge of becoming a father, while Velasquez had recently accepted a job with NASA. The families of the victims are now demanding accountability, not just from the perpetrator, but also from District Attorney George Gascon.
The case took a controversial turn when Shanice Dyer, a 17-year-old member of the East Coast Crips, was initially charged with premeditated murder and set to be tried as an adult by then-District Attorney Jackie Lacey. However, this changed when Gascon took office in 2020, implementing a policy that no juvenile would be tried as an adult, regardless of the crime. As a result, Dyer was tried as a juvenile and served less than four years for the murders of Carrera and Velasquez.
Michele Hanisee, president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys in L.A. County, expressed deep concern over Gascon’s blanket policies. “The public needs to know what’s going on,” Hanisee stated, emphasizing the impact of such policies on community safety. The families of the victims were further devastated to learn that Dyer, now out of custody, is accused of being involved in another murder, this time that of 21-year-old Joshua Streeter.
Retired L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Kathy Katie, now a victim’s advocate, criticized Gascon for not taking responsibility for the consequences of his policies. “He did this reform to rehabilitate and give people a second chance, but it has resulted in more tragedy,” she said. The victims’ families have voiced their frustration over the lack of support and communication from Gascon’s office, feeling that their loss has been overlooked.
Gascon declined to be interviewed, but his office released a statement suggesting that Dyer would likely not have been transferred to adult court under any administration due to multiple factors, including her age, lack of serious criminal history, and potential influence from adult men. The statement aimed to justify the decision, but it did little to console the grieving families.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, the debate over juvenile justice policies continues to intensify. With Gascon up for reelection, the case has become a focal point for critics and supporters alike, raising questions about the balance between rehabilitation and accountability in the justice system.