Police: Suspect ‘knew’ target
LOS ANGELES — A Santa Monica man was shot dead early Saturday after attending a party in the 4900 block of 21st Street.
Jesse Becerra was walking westbound on 21st toward La Brea Avenue, at about 12:45 a.m., when a man ran up to him and shot him multiple times in the back of the head with a.22 caliber handgun, said Los Angeles Police spokeswoman Kathy Simpson.
“Obviously, he knew his target,” she said. According to police, the 24-year-old Becerra was a member of the Santa Monica 13 gang.
Another man, whose identity has not been released, was shot in the buttocks. He was treated at a local hospital and was in stable condition. The victims were reportedly urinating in the street when the shooting took place.
The suspect, described as Hispanic, about five feet, seven inches tall, and about 125 pounds, fled the scene by jumping into a four-door black Lincoln Navigator with tinted windows, police said. The suspect was wearing a pink or orange shirt and baggy pants. He has either a buzz haircut or is bald, and is clean shaven, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Det. Cade or Det. Turriaga at (213) 473-0551.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 26, 2005. Read the original PDF.