Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Area Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting deaths of two Los Angeles residents.

On Saturday, January 25, 2003, at approximately 4:05 a.m., LAPD Devonshire Area patrol officers responded to a "Shots Fired" radio call in the 9000 block of Columbus Avenue, in North Hills. Arriving at the location, officers were directed by citizens to an adjacent carport area where they discovered two male Hispanic homicide victims.

Seated inside a parked vehicle, 20 year-old Jesse Aguilar and 17 year-old Steve Perez, both residents of Los Angeles, were shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation revealed that several male Hispanic suspects drove up in a dark colored compact car. Exiting their car, the unknown suspects approached Aguilar, Perez, and an unidentified third victim who was standing near the victim’s parked vehicle. The suspects opened fire and hit all three male victims. The surviving third victim was struck in the lower body as he attempted to run from the scene.

The suspects fled the scene in the waiting vehicle. The surviving third victim was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Devonshire Area Detectives at 818-756-8285. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk,
1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.