LOS ANGELES, California – Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with a string of shootings in Southern California that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a 14-year-old boy, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The series of killings, which transpired within hours of each other late Sunday night and early Monday morning in southeast Los Angeles County, is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The shootings occurred in the cities of Bell, Cudahy, and Huntington Park, as well as in the Florence-Firestone area of South L.A. Officials have recovered a red Honda Pilot SUV believed to be linked with the killings.
One of the suspects was taken into custody during a traffic stop in San Bernardino County, where sheriff’s deputies identified the vehicle and its license plate number, leading to the arrest. The second suspect was apprehended after a SWAT team served a search warrant at a residence. Both suspects are believed to be gang members.
The shooting that claimed the life of 14-year-old Javier Pedraza Jr. in Cudahy also left another boy injured and hospitalized in stable condition. Investigators are also seeking a third suspect who they believe may be at large.
In addition to Javier Pedraza Jr., the other victims were identified as 24-year-old Kevin Parada and two others who have not been named, pending notification of their families. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Javier Pedraza Jr. and Kevin Parada to help with expenses, and a vigil in honor of Kevin Parada is scheduled to be held.
Homicide detectives are urging anyone with information about the killings to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. The arrests of the two suspects have brought some closure to the community, but there is still an air of caution as the investigation continues.