Police Search for Gang Members Who Killed Baby
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 | Updated 2:54 PM PDT
The Los Angeles City Council offered a $50,000 reward Tuesday for information leading to the arrests and convictions of two gang members wanted for a shooting that killed a 4-month-old boy and wounded his babysitter and a young man.
Anna Contreras, 28, was sitting in a car and feeding 4-month-old Andrew Garcia, the son of a friend, in the 14300 block of Kittridge Street about 1 a.m. Sunday, said Los Angeles police Officer Norma Eisenman.
Eric Ramirez, 18, and some other friends, including the infant's parents, were standing outside, she said. The group got into an argument with two men walking across the street, and one of them opened fire. Six shots were fired, striking Contreras and baby Andrew in the head, and also hitting Ramirez, Eisenman said.
Firefighters airlifted the infant to UCLA Medical Center, where he later died. Contreras, whom Eisenman said is pregnant, was also taken to a hospital and was expected to survive. Ramirez, who walked to Valley Presbyterian Hospital, was treated and released.
Police asked for the public's help in finding Andrew's killers and have circulated a photo of the baby.
Councilman Tony Cardenas said he would ask his colleagues today to approve a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and conviction of the suspects.
"The family deserves it, the community deserves it and it is our obligation to make sure we do what we can to bring an end to this senseless killing and to also bring justice to the individuals who have taken this young life," Cardenas said.
One of the suspects was described as 18-22 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a shaved head. The other suspect was described as about 5 feet 5 inches tall and 200 pounds. Both are Latinos.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also appealed for help from the public in tracking down the suspects and said the case points to the need for the city to continue bolstering the Police Department and attacking gang violence.
"As we mourn the loss of innocent life here, we must reaffirm our steadfast commitment to fighting gang crime and gun violence, with more resilience, with more determination and with even greater resources," the mayor said.
Anyone with information about the suspects was asked to call Van Nuys Area Homicide detectives James Nuttall or Marc Martinez at 818-374-0040.
