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# Bullets on the beach: Outsiders open fire on teens, wound two
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/bullets-on-the-beach-outsiders-open-fire-on-teens-wound-two/
- Published: 2007-02-06T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:00:30.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Crime, Pier, #archive-import

*Police charge two in shooting*

PCH Two suspected gang members from Pacoima were arrested early Sunday morning for attempted murder after allegedly firing shots at a group of teens in a public parking lot just north of the Santa Monica Pier.

Two 17-year-olds from El Monte suffered non life-threatening injuries in the attack and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, according to SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla.

Detectives are expected to file their case with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office today. In addition to attempted murder, the detectives will include a gang conspiracy charge. Bail for the suspects was set at $1 million.

“We believe this was gang-related,” Padilla said. “There was a verbal exchange in which the suspects yelled out the name of a Pacoima gang.”

The shooting occurred around 3 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Authorities said a group of teens were in a beach parking lot when they were approached by the suspects and six of their friends. Words were exchanged between the two groups, at which time the suspects and their friends jumped into an SUV and began to drive away.

Just as they were about to exit the parking lot, one of the suspects opened fire from the passenger side of the vehicle, striking one victim in the right leg and the other in the stomach, according to police.

Having received a description of the suspects’ vehicle, police spotted the SUV heading eastbound on Interstate 10\. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested all eight occupants. A 9mm, semiautomatic pistol was found in their possession, said Padilla.

Following an investigation, six of the eight suspects were released. The two remaining in custody were identified as Martin Vasquez, 18, and Juan Salas, 19.

Detectives are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the robbery/homicide division of the SMPD at (310) 458-8451, or the watch commander’s office at (310) 458-8426.

Callers who wish to provide information anonymously can do so by calling the We- Tip national hotline at (800) 78-CRIME (27463). Callers with information that leads to an arrest and conviction become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 6, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)