At a news conference Thursday, Sheriff Robert Luna sought public help Thursday in tracking down a 20-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy at a Pico Rivera gas station where his mother was working.
The shooting was reported about 11:35 p.m. Saturday in the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard, where the teen was pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported.
The victim was identified by the L.A. County Medical Examiner as Saith Israel Toledo Mendez.
Speaking at a Thursday morning news conference alongside sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Pico Rivera Station officials at the Hall of Justice in downtown L.A., Luna asked anyone with information to come forward.
He said the suspect -- whom he identified as Andres Adan Chavez -- was in a rear passenger seat of a tan four-door sedan that rolled up to a gas station pump and parked.
The driver of the car exited and began talking to Mendez's mother, Clara, at the service window, Luna said.
Saith Israel Toledo MendezLASD
The teen had been waiting in his mother's car for her to finish her shift, but went inside the station to speak with her. He then walked out and past Chavez, who had exited the sedan and was lingering about the station, Luna said.
"Unprovoked, suspect Chavez drew a firearm, took several steps toward Saith and shot him at close range," Luna said. Clara watched, he said, as the gunman shot her child "in the back without prior interaction."
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
After the boy collapsed, the suspect allegedly stood over him and fired multiple rounds into him before fleeing on foot into a nearby residential area, Luna said. The driver of the tan car and a female passenger remained at the scene and were questioned and released pending further investigation.
Luna apologized for detailing the crime at the news conference with the boy's mother and other family members present, but said he had discussed the matter with Clara, who did not speak to reporters.
"We are here for two reasons," Luna said. "First to seek justice for Saith and his family. Second, to get this violent individual who committed this very cowardly act off of our streets."
The sheriff called Mendez a youngster with "a bright, promising future" whose life was taken too soon. He was one of five children and enjoyed video games and playing basketball with friends.
Given Chavez's willingness to use a firearm and kill someone without being provoked in any way makes him a particularly dangerous threat and no one should confront him, but call 911 if he is spotted, Luna said.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the whereabouts of Chavez can also call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org.
The sheriff's department is contracted to provide policing services in the city of Pico Rivera.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
