LOS ANGELES, California – Law enforcement officials have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of shootings in Southern California that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a 14-year-old boy. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the killings that occurred late Sunday night and early Monday morning in southeast Los Angeles County. The shootings took place in the cities of Bell, Cudahy, and Huntington Park, as well as in the Florence-Firestone area of South L.A.
Authorities have recovered a red Honda Pilot SUV believed to be connected to the killings and have taken two suspects into custody. The first suspect was apprehended during a traffic stop in San Bernardino County, while the second suspect was arrested after a SWAT team served a search warrant at a residence. The suspects have been identified as Gary Garcia, 42, and Timberland Wayne McNeely, 20. Both are believed to be gang members, according to L.A. County Sheriff’s Capt. Andrew Meyer.
Homicide detectives believe that a third suspect may still be at large. Meyer informed reporters that it appears the shootings were part of a random murder spree. One of the shootings claimed the life of 14-year-old Javier Pedraza Jr. and left another boy injured and hospitalized in stable condition. At this time, a GoFundMe page has been created in Javier’s honor. The other homicides took place in Bell, Florence-Firestone, and Huntington Park.
The medical examiner’s office has identified 24-year-old Kevin Parada as the victim killed in Bell, and a GoFundMe page has been established to help pay for Parada’s funeral expenses. Parada’s mother, Teresa, revealed that her son was at a friend’s house when he was murdered. The names of the other two deceased victims have been withheld by the medical examiner’s office, pending notification of their families. Any individual with information about the killings has been urged to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
The investigation into these tragic and senseless killings is ongoing, and law enforcement continues to seek information from the public to bring those responsible to justice. The community has been deeply affected by these events, and efforts are underway to support the families of the victims during this difficult time.