Three Gang Members Arrested in Shooting of a 9 Year Old Girl

Los Angeles: Three known gang members have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a young girl sitting in her bedroom.

On Monday, September 11, 2007, at 4:50 PM, a suspect approached the victim’s residence located in the 1400 block of Cochran Avenue, on foot while two other suspects waited in a vehicle. The suspect walked down an alley and fired one round at two male Hispanics, who were standing in front of the doorway of a residence.

The bullet traveled through the exterior wall of the residence and struck 9-year-old Adriana Varguez in the arm, as she was sitting on her bed doing homework. She was taken to the local hospital in stable condition and was subsequently released.

Based upon information developed during the course of the investigation, Wilshire Detectives were able to identify all three suspects: Carlos Morales, 19, Raymundo Villareal, 24, and the alleged shooter, a 14-year-old juvenile. They have been arrested for Assault with Deadly Weapon. The juvenile suspect is being held without bail, while Morales and Villareal are being held on $50,000.00 bail. The shooting appears to be gang related and in retaliation for a shooting that occurred on June 27, 2007.

Anyone with information concerning these or other crimes the suspects may have been involved is asked to contact Wilshire Gang Detectives at 213-473-0444. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).