Police urge shooting witnesses to speak up
Fabrega wouldn’t speculate on why the witnesses are reluctant to provide information to detectives.
Witnesses said Hernandez got into a physical altercation with two or three men near the front entrance to the Moose Lodge, a Sunset Park venue often used for weddings, birthdays and other events.
Guests at the party said as many as 14 shots were fired by two or three gang members who opened fire on Hernandez and later aimed their barrels at Bonilla, a long-time friend of Hernandez’ who attempted to intervene.
Bonilla was shot multiple times in his torso and head while Hernandez suffered more extensive wounds to his torso, head and buttocks, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.
A third victim, who witnesses said threw a chair at the gunmen in an attempt to break up the shooting, was shot in the leg and released from St. John’s Hospital Center two days later, according to authorities. The third person’s identity has not been released. He apparently did not know Bonilla or Hernandez.
Fabrega on Tuesday declined to say if the incident was gang related. The initial coroner reports referred to the gunmen and the victims as belonging to rival gangs. Still, no weapons were found on the victims. Witnesses said the shooters had tattoos with gang emblems.
The suspects, who fled the scene, are described as two Hispanic men, between 18 and 20 years old, and wearing dark hooded sweatshirts.
Hernandez’s mother, Natalie Preciado, said witnesses at the party told her that one suspect was wearing a red sweatshirt and the other was wearing a blue sweat-shirt.
Preciado and Krizna Ayala, Bonilla’s girlfriend and mother to their three children, both said on Tuesday the wheels of justice need to move faster.
“If people would just cooperate, it would help catch them and help the families,” Ayala said.
Preciado said she was frustrated with the police investigation, particularly because detectives won’t provide her with details. SMPD detectives spoke with Preciado and Ayala this week, but offered little information on the investigation.
“I’m mad right now,” Preciado said. “We need assistance to solve this crime. We know there were a lot of people there and if they know anything, please come forward.”
Preciado is considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the family who held the birthday party, as well as against the Moose Lodge, the security company hired for the party and possibly the SMPD.
“I’m looking for a lawyer,” she said. No reward has been set up to help catch the suspects in the double homicide. However, last year the City Council approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed a Santa Monica teenager on Sept. 2, 2003. Seven months after Jalonnie Carter, 19, was shot in the back with a.22-caliber gun in an alley east of 20th Street, SMPD Chief James T. Butts Jr. asked the City Council that a reward be offered. The case remains unsolved.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491. Callers who wish to remain anonymous also may call the WeTip national hotline at 1-800-78- CRIME (27463).
Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Connor said the City Council hasn’t discussed the recent double homicide and offering a reward would likely originate from the city manager’s office or the SMPD.
O’Connor was heavily involved in a Feb. 26 gang violence community workshop sponsored by State Sen. Sheila Kuehl and City Hall, which was held at John Adams Middle School and is across the street from where the murders took place. A second community workshop was to be held on March 12, but was postponed until April 9 out of respect to the families.
O’Connor said it’s important to continue the work that more than 400 community members started in February to end gang violence in Santa Monica. “(The murders) certainly point out that it’s a real problem and one that has tragic consequences,” she said. “It brings a sense of urgency to the issue and it does-n’t mean we don’t keep trying.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.