Andres Adan Chavez Arrested; – On Thursday, authorities identified the individual sought in relation to the tragic shooting of a 13-year-old boy who was waiting for his mother at the Pico Rivera gas station where she was employed.
During a morning press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna appealed to the public for assistance in locating the perpetrator responsible for the death of Saith Israel Toledo Mendez.
Authorities have named 20-year-old Andres Adan Chavez as the suspect in this case, claiming he was seated in the rear passenger seat of a tan four-door sedan that approached the gas station pump and parked prior to the shooting.
The incident occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Saturday in the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard, situated between Paramount and Rosemead boulevards. The injured teenager was declared dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The driver of the vehicle exited and began conversing with Mendez’s mother, Clara, at the service window, as stated by Luna.
The teenager had been waiting in his mother’s car for her to complete her shift but went inside the station to talk to her. He subsequently walked out and passed by Chavez, who had exited the sedan and was loitering around the station, Luna reported.
“Without provocation, suspect Chavez drew a firearm, advanced several steps toward Saith, and shot him at close range,” Luna stated. Clara witnessed, he noted, as the assailant shot her child “in the back without any prior interaction.”
After the boy fell, the suspect allegedly stood over him and fired multiple rounds into him before fleeing on foot into a nearby residential area, Luna indicated. The driver of the tan vehicle and a female passenger remained at the scene, were questioned, and subsequently released pending further investigation.
Luna expressed regret for detailing the crime during the news conference with the boy’s mother and other family members present, but mentioned that he had discussed the situation with Clara, who chose not to speak to reporters.
“We are here for two reasons,” Luna stated. “First, to seek justice for Saith and his family. Second, to apprehend this violent individual who committed this extremely cowardly act and remove him from our streets.”]} }}]}
