From June 9th to June 27th two gang member suspects were reported to have been in a series of six shootings in Echo Park. In the first five shootings, the suspects missed all of the potential victims in their attempted murder shooting spree. Most of the victims were driving around in the their car when the apparently random shots were fired.
According to the report, “The LAPD Northeast Area Gang Enforcement Detail and Gang Impact Team detectives developed intelligence that focused on a gang that was possibly responsible for the series of shootings.” During the investigation, they were able to find the bullets that were used at the crime scene. The bullets recovered were from a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
During the sixth incident on June 27th, just past 11 p.m. in a parking lot near the 1400 block of Glendale Boulevard, three men were approached by four other men. One of the four men was equipped with a semi-automatic hand gun. The two groups exchanged words, until gunshots started firing. Only one victim that was hit by a bullet, which grazed him on the side of the head. The wound was not life-threatening. After the altercation, the two groups fled the scene.
Northeast Area Gang Impact Team detectives investigated the incident and were able to identify the four possible suspects from the shooting. They identified two shooters that were responsible for all six shooting incidents.
The two shooting suspects were identified as Christoper Meza, 26, and Benjamin Orellana, 22, who, according to records, have gang affiliation.
A search warrant was conducted in Meza’s residence, where detectives located a .45 caliber handgun that was linked to the six shootings through forensic analysis.
On June 28th, Meza and Orellana were arrested and upon further investigation were charged with three counts of attempted murder.
Meza is being held in lieu of $3.24 million bail at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles and Orellana is being held in lieu of $3.09 million at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic. Both are scheduled to appear in court on July 13th.
According to records, Meza and Orellana have had multiple previous incidents with the law. Meza has had counts for domestic violence (273.5(A)), vehicle theft (10851(A)), and grand theft auto (487D1) and Orellana has had counts for a probation violation (1203.2) and a faliure to appear in court violation (853.7).
Anyone with further information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact Lieutenant John Cook, Officer in Charge, Gang Impact Team at (323) 561-3335.
