Two alleged gang members accused of fatally shooting a 19-year-old Camp Pendleton Marine on leave in South Los Angeles two months ago were behind bars Wednesday awaiting arraignment.
Alleged shooter Oscar Aguilar, 26, and co-defendant Esau Rios, 28,were arrested last Thursday, and Los Angeles Police on Tuesday charged them in the Sept. 16 attack on Lance Cpl. Carlos Segovia-Lopez.
The shooting was allegedly carried out in association with or for the benefit of a criminal street gang, according to the criminal complaint. Aguilar is also charged with one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon and dissuading a witness by force or threat.
Segovia-Lopez allegedly exchanged words with the defendants just before the shooting.
He was on his cell phone and driving when he was shot, which caused him to lose control and crash into a parked vehicle. Police have a recording of the call, and gunshots can be heard before the line goes dead, according to LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham.
Whittingham previously said Segovia-Lopez might have witnessed suspicious activity or a crime in progress.
Segovia-Lopez was found covered in blood and slumped over the steering wheel of a Dodge Charger. He was taken off life support three days later after doctors informed the family that he could not be saved.
Hundreds of his fellow Marines paid their respects at Camp Pendleton Sept. 21, and funeral services were held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 5.
On Tuesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered Aguilar to remain jailed in lieu of $4.2 million bail, and Rios to be held on $3 million bail. Both suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 30.
Aguilar could face up to 167 years to life in state prison if convicted, while Rios could face up to 50 years to life behind bars, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
A third man, Ricky Valente, 18, is charged with being an accessory after the fact with knowledge of the crime, and could face up to seven years in state prison if convicted, authorities said. Valente — who was ordered to be held on $1 million bail — was also arrested last Thursday and is due back in court Nov. 30 for arraignment.
— City News Service
