Los Angeles Police Detectives Arrest 13-Year Old Murder Suspect

Los Angeles: Thanks to the hard work of Los Angeles Police Department Detectives, numerous tips from a caring community and extensive media coverage, the LAPD was able to identify and arrest a 13-year old for the murder of 8-year old Jasmine Sanders

On Wednesday evening, July 25th, 2008, a group of neighbors were gathered in the court yard of an apartment building, located at 249 East 76th Street. At about 8:40 PM, two male Black suspects walked up to the group, from a nearby alley. One of the suspects was armed and raised the weapon and fired in the direction of the group. Jasmine Sanders, an eight year-old resident of the complex, was hit in the chest by a bullet as she sat on an exterior stairwell. The suspects immediately ran back through the same alley they came from. Jasmine was rushed to UCLA Harbor General Hospital, but she died shortly after 9:00 PM that evening.

Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section, assumed investigative responsibility for the case. Follow-up investigation, along with information provided by members of the community, led to the identification of the suspected shooter. In cases like this one, detectives can only hope for assistance from the media and the community to help solve crimes, and that’s what happened in this case. People were willing to become involved and it led to an arrest.

The suspect, who will not be identified because of his age, is a thirteen year-old gang associate and a resident of Los Angeles. Additionally, it was revealed the suspect is actually a cousin of the victim. The crime appeared to be a gang-motivated retaliation stemming from an assault earlier on the day of the murder.

The suspect was surrendered to the Probation Department on Friday, July 25th , by his guardian, and he was detained pending a hearing regarding a violation of his probation conditions. The assigned investigators re-arrested the minor for the murder of Jasmine Sanders on July 28th, 2008, inside Inglewood Juvenile Court. He was then detained at Eastlake Juvenile Hall.

On Tuesday, July 29th , 2008, the case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office, Compton Juvenile Division, for filing consideration. Following their review, one count of murder, and one count of attempt murder relative to the intended victim, was alleged in the felony complaint.

Even though a suspect has been charged with the murder of this innocent girl, the investigation is still continuing. Detectives are still attempting to identify and locate a second suspect, as well as additional potential witnesses.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Division, Detectives Mike Oppelt or Al Aldaz, at 213-485-2531, or 1-877- LAWFULL.