Santa Monica: Richard Juarez, 20

Richard Juarez, a 20-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica, authorities said. L.A. Now has the full story: 4 reputed gang members held in Santa Monica slaying


Four reputed gang members were booked on suspicion of murder today in connection with a shooting at a Santa Monica park that left one man dead and prompted police to beef up patrols in the area, authorities said.

The shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday at Virginia Avenue Park, next to a police substation and recreation center where the city's Police Activities League sponsors sports programs to help keep youths out of trouble.

Santa Monica police said they had teamed up with Los Angeles Police Department detectives to determine whether the attack was connected to a deadly shooting several hours earlier in Venice. One of the alleged gang members taken into custody was from Venice, Santa Monica police said.

"Our detectives are working with LAPD detectives to see if there was any commonality between the two shootings," said Sgt. David Hunscke of the Santa Monica Police Department.

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Richard Juarez was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Santa Monica: Jose Becerra, 53

Jose Becerra, a 53-year-old Latino, died from blunt head trauma June 13 in the 2200 block of Stewart Street in Santa Monica, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that police responded to an apartment after neighbors called in and reported that they heard a fight going on inside.

Officers found Becerra bleeding from the head on the floor of the apartment, according to the Daily Press. He was transported to a hospital for treatment, where he died later that day.

Osvaldo Garcia, 29, was arrested in connection with the killing.

-- Anthony Pesce

Read the Santa Monica Daily Press account: Cops make arrest for attempted murder