Echo Park: Man, 38, shot in gang feud

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Eric Zamarripa, a 38-year-old Latino, was shot and killed in a gang feud Sunday, March 1, 2009, on the 1600 block of Baxter Street in Echo Park, according to coroner’s records.

He was one of two men killed Sunday in a rampage that left another man wounded.

Police said the shootings began about 5 p.m. Sunday when Andrew Upshaw, 33, a member of the Echo Park gang who lives in Pasadena, allegedly drove his black pickup truck to the 2000 block of Echo Park Avenue and shot William Vargas, 33.

Vargas was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

About two minutes later, police allege Upshaw drove to the 1600 block of Baxter Street, where he shot and killed Zamarripa.

A neighbor who saw a truck pull up to Zamarripa’s house said he heard the shooter say, ‘Eric, how about if you die today?’

Upshaw fled, police said. About half an hour later, he shot and killed 37-year-old Carlos Gonzalez in the 4300 block of Toland Way in Highland Park, according to police.

The men involved in the shootings knew one another and were part of the same Echo Park gang, police said.

They said the two men who died were ‘veteranos,’ older members of the gang.

At a news conference later that week, police said detectives recognized witness descriptions of the black pickup and said it was easily identified, with white stripes running down its top and sides.

Police believe Upshaw was driving the truck and was the lone shooter. In a twist, police followed him into court the next day, where he was waiting to appear before a judge on a single count of felony drug possession.

Police went into the downtown courtroom with their guns drawn and arrested him. Upshaw was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office with and attempted murder.
His bail was set at $1 million, and police said more charges could follow.

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz