An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder in an apparent road rage shooting that killed a Silver Lake pizza deliveryman, police said Tuesday.
Jose Beltran was charged with one count of murder and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Beltran was arrested Aug. 19 for an unrelated gun charge.
"The officers stopped him for a traffic violation," Detective Jose Carrillo said at a news conference announcing the arrest. "He didn't have a driver's license. As they (police) were conducting the impound of his vehicle, they recovered a weapon under the driver's seat. That's why we're here today."
After Beltran was arrested, detectives realized he matched the description of the suspect in the Loma shooting.
"He was, in my opinion, potentially very dangerous," Carrillo said. "He shot at one person. What's to keep him from shooting at somebody else?"
Beltran remains jailed in lieu of more than $1 million bail.
A $50,000 reward was voided, as no successful tips were provided, said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge on Monday. The breakthrough in the case was credited to police work.
The victim, 20-year-old Juan David Vasquez Loma, was shot in the head near the intersection of Silver Lake Boulevard and Scott Place shortly after 5 a.m. on Aug. 7. He was hospitalized, but died Aug. 14. Police suspected road rage although no official motive has been announced.
Loma, who worked at El Chavo Restaurant and as a delivery driver for Garage Pizza, was giving two coworkers a ride home at the time of the incident.
"I do not wish this upon another mother," said the victim's mother earlier this month. "He was a hard worker. He had dreams."
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Friends and family of Loma (pictured, right) have set up a fund with Citibank to help cover bereavement expenses. Those who wish to donate can contribute to account No. 204204192.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the LAPD Northeast Homicide Division at 213-847-4261.
Correction: In a previous version of this story, LAPD provided incorrect charges linked to Jose Beltran. The correct charges are one count of murder and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
