Two arrested in slaying of a Hanford teen-ager
Police suspect the shooting of 17-year-old boy was gang-related.
By Bethany Clough
The Fresno Bee
(Published Thursday, July 4, 2002, 8:39 AM)
HANFORD -- Two teen-agers were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing a 17-year-old Hanford resident.
Efrain Velasquez, 18, of Hanford and an unidentified 17-year-old Visalia boy are accused of shooting Ramon Rodriguez, 17, on June 29.
Rodriguez was shot several times at close range as he sat in his car outside his apartment on the 1200 block of Fernot Avenue.
The shooting was committed by sureno gang members, said Hanford Police Department Lt. David Scott. "The gang was attempting to establish that area as part of their territory," he said.
Rodriguez was wearing a red shirt when he was killed.
Rodriguez's mother previously said her son was not a gang member, but police said Rodriguez's red shirt and the gang members Rodriguez "hangs out with" were factors in the situation.
The Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff's Department and the Kings County Gang Task Force also are investigating the incident.
At least two witnesses described the car the suspects were driving. The car was found in Goshen, and investigators were able to trace who was driving it that night, said Hanford police Lt. Greg Freiner.
Velasquez is being held in Kings County Jail, and the 17-year-old suspect was taken to the Kings County Juvenile Center.
Police suspect the shooting of 17-year-old boy was gang-related.
By Bethany Clough
The Fresno Bee
(Published Thursday, July 4, 2002, 8:39 AM)
HANFORD -- Two teen-agers were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing a 17-year-old Hanford resident.
Efrain Velasquez, 18, of Hanford and an unidentified 17-year-old Visalia boy are accused of shooting Ramon Rodriguez, 17, on June 29.
Rodriguez was shot several times at close range as he sat in his car outside his apartment on the 1200 block of Fernot Avenue.
The shooting was committed by sureno gang members, said Hanford Police Department Lt. David Scott. "The gang was attempting to establish that area as part of their territory," he said.
Rodriguez was wearing a red shirt when he was killed.
Rodriguez's mother previously said her son was not a gang member, but police said Rodriguez's red shirt and the gang members Rodriguez "hangs out with" were factors in the situation.
The Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff's Department and the Kings County Gang Task Force also are investigating the incident.
At least two witnesses described the car the suspects were driving. The car was found in Goshen, and investigators were able to trace who was driving it that night, said Hanford police Lt. Greg Freiner.
Velasquez is being held in Kings County Jail, and the 17-year-old suspect was taken to the Kings County Juvenile Center.