(January 23, 2003) -- Demonstrating swift gang detective work, LBPD has arrested a suspect in the shocking Jan. 21 midday shooting of a 21 year old mother and her 4 year old son in the 1100 block of Hellman St. (b/w 7th & 8th Sts., area near Cerritos/Orange in the 1st Council district). The mother was struck in the leg and her son was hit in the foot; both survived. The shooter fired numerous rounds and fled on foot.
LBPD Sgt. Paul LeBaron told LBReport.com that officers managed to recover a gun from the scene, confirmed it was used in the shooting...and found evidence allowing LBPD to identify a suspect.
This morning, LBPD arrived in the 1400 block of Magnolia Ave. and arrested a 17 year old. suspect for the Hellman St. attempted murder...and wound up making additional arrests.
Police said the juvenile attempted murder suspect was leaving a residence in the presence of two male adults (ages 18 and 19). One was allegedly in possession of a fully loaded Tech 9 gun and the other was a parolee.
Police arrested both adults on charges unrelated to the attempted murder (one on felony firearms charges, the other for probation violation).
LBPD alleges all three are gang members.
The arrest of a suspect in the Hellman St. attempted murder is attributed to quick work by LBPD gang detectives and credit to Sgt. Alex Avila of LBPD's gang enforcement section.