Los Angeles: On April 11, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., West Los Angeles Area uniformed officers assigned to the West LA Gang Impact Team (GIT), arrested 22 year-old Victor Amaya and a 17 year-old male for attempted murder. The arrests were made in a single-family residence located in the 3100 block of Halm Avenue.

The arrests were in connection to a drive-by shooting that occurred on April 4, 2003, at 2:20 p.m., near Hamilton High School in the West LA Area. On that date, three suspects in a white, 4-door Honda stopped in front of a group of students, who were standing at Cattaraugus Street and Reynier Avenue. One of the suspects fired multiple rounds from a handgun towards the group, striking two students. The injuries were not life threatening.

West LA GIT officers and detectives conducted a comprehensive (non-stop) investigation that resulted with Victor Amaya and a 17 year-old minor being identified as the suspects involved in the shooting. Ramey arrests warrants were secured for both suspects. The Honda used in the crime is also in police custody. Both suspects are members of a local West LA area gang.

While this incident raised significant safety concerns of those people who reside, go to school and work in the West LA Area, the immediate dedication of considerable patrol and investigative resources, coupled with the outstanding performance of the involved police personnel, resulted with the involved suspects being quickly identified and taken into custody. The immediacy of the arrests is expected to reduce community anxiety over incidences of violent crime in the West LA Area and raise the level of confidence of community members in the ability of the police to impact violent crime.

For further information regarding this arrest please telephone West LA Detective Caranza at 310-575-8441.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.