Reputed gang member arrested in Norwalk shooting of 7-year-old boy

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have arrested a reputed gang member in connection with the shooting of a 7-year-old boy Wednesday at a local park, authorities said.

The man, identified as Charles German Vera, 21, of Norwalk was expected to be booked on suspicion of attempted murder late Thursday afternoon. He was taken into custody after deputies conducted a felony stop of the suspect on Interstate 5 near the Norwalk Boulevard exit. He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

"He was taken into custody without incident at 11 a.m.," said Capt. Pat Maxwell of the Norwalk station, who added that Vera was a "documented gang member."

The boy, whose identity was not revealed because of his age, is recovering at a hospital from a gunshot wound to the torso, sheriff's officials said.

Authorities said Vera shot at two people across the street from Holifield Park for no apparent reason, Maxwell said. The boy was about 100 yards from where the shots were fired.

Maxwell said there was no apparent motive for the shooting and that the suspect's intended targets  did not belong to a gang.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[obama]

once again the hispanics prove we need to close the borders

[wayneflo]

Innocent people murdered and injured by gangs are collateral damage from the US drug war, which causes daily tragedies and wrongful deaths.

The US DOJ drug report states that midlevel and retail drug distribution in the US is dominated by domestic street gangs. Most of these gangs are either associated with or controlled by the Mexican drug cartels.

Law enforcement is helpless in the fight against the gangs due to their economic ability to sustain their criminal activities. Gangs are the ‘retail’ dealer network of illegal drugs. Drugs are the financial lifeline of the gangs.

The way to cripple drug cartels and California street gangs is legalize cannabis. It delivers big money to cartels and gangs. They grow it cheap and make huge profits on high prices. Legalizing cannabis will wipe out over 60% of their profits.

[Anna]

The liberal indifference against this human trash is breathtaking! You liberal enablers and apologists have blood on your hand and one day you will have to pay for your actions

[James E. Hall]

I remember living and working in Norwalk at an apartment complex for eight years. The job was as security in the apartment complex. The shooting I read about (7 year old shot in the torso) is a very painful hit. I put him in my prayers. The gang members have no excuse that we should accept. The Deputies in the Norwalk area I always regarded them as professional. I am sorry this type of situation happened, but wish this young man well.