No Leads in Oceanside Teens' Double Homicide Case
OCEANSIDE – Following the fatal shooting of two local teenagers at Libby Lake Park, investigators are offering a reward for information and diligently working to drum up new leads.
Melanie Virgen, 13 and Edgar Sanchez, 15 in images released in a poster seeking information about the killings
On Wednesday, March 13 at approximately 8:50 p.m. dispatchers received a report of shots fired at Libby Lake Park at 500 Calle Montecito, a location notorious for the similar 2011 murder of two teenagers. When officers arrived at the scene they discovered that two teenagers had been fatally shot. There were also two other teenagers shot at the scene; both were transported to a local hospital where they recovered from their wounds.
Detectives reported that Melanie Virgen, 13 and Edgar Sanchez, 15 were killed at the scene. Witnesses described Hispanic males wearing dark clothing, leaving the scene according to Oceanside Police. The suspects were last seen fleeing the area in a gray or silver 2005 or 2006 Toyota Tacoma or Toyota Tundra extended-cab style pickup. Police were unaware of any motive for the shootings and uncertain if they were gang-related.
In 2011 Sandra Salgado, 14, and Fernando Felix Solano, 16, were slayed at Libby Lake Park. Neither had ties to gangs. However, gang members AL’C Robert Bejaran, 20, Justin Gibson, 20 and Kenneth Hamilton, 35 were arrested and each are charged with two counts of murder.
Libby Lake Park, where the two children were killed. An eerily similar killing happened just two years before.
The Oceanside Police Department is continuing to investigate leads, but has no information currently leading to suspects. On Wednesday March 20, detectives canvassed Libby Lake Park passing out flyers and seeking further information from locals. San Diego Crime Stoppers is currently offering a reward up to $1,000 leading to the arrest of the individuals involved in the recent shootings.
Detectives are asking anyone with any information on the identity or location of the suspects involved in the case to call Oceanside Police Department Detective Mark LaVake at 760-435-4872 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent in via www.sdcrimestoppers.com.
Read More:
UT San Diego: Slain O’side teens called ‘kindred spirits’
NBC San Diego: Police Canvass Site of Teen Shooting
Fox5 San Diego: Cops pass out fliers in hunt for park killers
