(March 19, 2003) -- A 14 year old boy was fatally shot while walking with friends in the area of 17th St. and Martin Luther King Ave. in the 6th Council district.

LBPD said it received a call of gunshots in the 1000 block of East 17th St. and found a 14 year old boy lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his torso. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

Police say the boy was walking with friends when they realized they were being followed by individuals in a car. A suspect exited the car, approached the victim, and shot him.

Within hours, LBPD Homicide Detectives and Gang Detectives identified a suspect and set up a surveillance in the 900 block of MLK Blvd. They arrested 21 year old Anthony Michael Vasquez of LB, charging him with murder as well as a parole violation.

Investigators believe the crime may be gang related.

Police ask anyone with information about the crime to call LBPD Homicide Detectives Bryan McMahon or Paul Edwards at (562) 570-7244.