East Los Angeles shootings

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East L.A.: Four Latino men were killed in a pair of shootings within 17 minutes of each other Monday, March 31. The first shooting occurred at Jesse’s Auto Sales in the 5100 block of Olympic Boulevard at about 1:20 p.m. According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, deputies from the East Los Angeles station responded to the dealership regarding a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered two Latino men had been shot. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. According to the dealership owner, two vehicles were missing: a 2000 gray Jeep Cherokee, license plate 4LUE195, and a white 2001 Dodge Dakota, license plate 7Z41469.

The second shooting occurred at 1:37 p.m. in the 1200 block of South Herbert Avenue. Sheriff’s deputies responding to a radio call of shots fired found two Latino men with gunshot wounds. Both men were also pronounced dead at the scene. The shootings were not related, authorities said.

For more, read the Los Angeles Times story.

Update: Christopher Lee Savala, a 28 year-old Latino man, was arrested on suspicion of murdering two Latino men in the 1200 block of South Herbert Avenue. The men have been identified as Benjamin Renteria and Diego Vargas, both 22 and alleged gang members, according to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.