Three suspects arrested for fight
By Daily Press staff
SM BEACH — An apparent gang-related fight broke out early Thursday, leaving two victims in the hospital, three people in jail and police searching for additional suspects.
At about 1:40 a.m., Santa Monica police responded to a call of shots fired at the 1550 beach lot just north of the Santa Monica Pier. Responding officers received additional information that a victim from the shooting was in the 1700 block of Fourth Street. Officers located one victim, a 17-year-old Hispanic male from Los Angeles, who suffered from at least one gunshot wound to the upper torso. He was transported to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition, police said.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the victim was shot in the 1550 beach parking lot. Additionally, Santa Monica police received information from another hospital in Los Angeles that reported a stabbing victim, an adult black male of Los Angeles, who was attacked in the 1550 beach lot. The victim was stabbed in the upper torso. He is listed in stable condition, police said.
Several suspects were arrested, and have been identified as Marco Villalobos, 22, of Los Angeles; Pedro Villalobos, 23, of Los Angeles; and a juvenile who was transported to a juvenile detention facility. The suspects, all Hispanic, were each booked for attempted murder and gang enhancement with no bail, police said.
Additional suspects are being sought by police. They are described as black males, between 18 and 25 years old, police said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the robbery-homicide unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8451, or the watch commander’s office at (310) 458-8426. Callers who wish to remain anonymous also may call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800- 78-CRIME (27463).
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 29, 2005. Read the original PDF.