Arrests are credited to new collaboration
CITY HALL Police arrested eight suspected gang members early Thursday morning that are believed to be responsible for a reign of terror in Santa Monica that claimed the lives of two young men last year — 15-year-old Eddie Lopez and 20-year-old Miguel Martin.
Search and arrest warrants were served at homes in West Los Angeles and Venice, with officers from the LAPD’s Gang Enforcement Team working in conjunction with the SMPD, according to law enforcement officials.
In addition to the murders of Lopez and Martin, the suspects — three of whom are juveniles — are believed responsible for several drive-by shootings, including one near Edison Elementary School in September 2004, and another in the 2700 block of Pico Boulevard, in which a 17-year-old girl was hit in the leg as she was walking into an apartment complex.
In addition to bringing some closure to the families of the victims, the arrests seemed to mark a new beginning between residents of the Pico Neighborhood and the SMPD, which relied heavily on tips received from community members to locate the suspects.
Without that information and the dedication of officers from the SMPD and LAPD, as well as guidance from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the arrests may not have been possible, SMPD Chief Tim Jackman said on Thursday afternoon.
“When Eddie was killed, people know the who, what, when, where, but many failed to come forward with that information,” said Jackman, who is making it a personal mission to find those responsible for killing Lopez and Martin. “After Miguel was killed, people’s attitudes began to change, and that’s why we are here today. We are seeing a new spirit of collaboration and it will continue.
“People have seen the result, and that is getting these bad guys off the streets.”
As a result of the collaboration, four search-and-arrest warrants were served, resulting in six arrests. Two additional suspects were taken into custody prior to the warrants being served, police said.
The suspects were identified as: • Jose Zapien, 18, of Los Angeles, who was arrested on two counts of murder, nine counts of attempted murder and gang conspiracy; • Andres Castillo, 18, of Los Angeles, who was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy; • Jon Carrillo, 19, of Los Angeles, who was arrested for attempted murder and gang conspiracy; • Victor Torres, 22, of Los Angeles, who was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy; • Noah Farris, 22, of Los Angeles, who was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, and gang conspiracy.
The names of the juveniles were not released because of their age. They included a 17-year-old male from Los Angeles, who was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm and gang conspiracy; a 15-year-old female from Los Angeles, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to shoot into an inhabited dwelling, two counts of attempted murder and gang conspiracy; and one 15-year-old male from Los Angeles, who was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy.
Some of the suspects are expected to be arraigned today, police said.
News of the arrests brought smiles to the faces of city officials, police and family members of Lopez and Martin, who were shot and killed just a few blocks from one another.
Lopez, a Santa Monica High School honor student and popular athlete, was killed Feb. 28, 2006, near the corner of Pico Boulevard and 26th Street. Police said Lopez was walking with two friends around 9:20 p.m. when a male Hispanic wearing a dark-hooded sweatshirt and a bandana over his face approached and yelled a West Los Angeles gang name several times before opening fire, striking Lopez in the chest.
His death caused great pain for many Samohi teachers, students and their parents, who remembered Lopez as a dedicated family man, star athlete on both the football and baseball teams, as well as a faithful follower of the church.
“I am really happy and I hope that these arrests will stop the killings of innocent people like my son,” said Lopez’ mother, Arminda, following a press conference at City Hall announcing the arrests.
Tears filled her eyes as she recounted the days following her son’s murder. She said she has prayed every day since then that the police would find the killer, never losing hope, even when many around her doubted the police.
“I had a feeling in my heart that this day would come,” she said, as her other son, Daniel, stood by her side wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Lopez playing football at Samohi. “The police came to my home and they promised me they would find them. I believed them. I hope justice will be served
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 9, 2007. Read the original PDF.