Freeway Homicide Press Conference

 
What:
Press conference
When:
Thursday, January 10, 2002, at 1:00 p.m.
Where:
Wilshire Community Police Station
4849 West Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90019

Los Angeles: On November 3, 2001, at approximately 11:55 p.m., victim Alberto Ulloa was driving a 1990 Plymouth Laser, 2-door, red in color, westbound on the Santa Monica Freeway in the number two lane, approaching the Fairfax Boulevard off-ramp. Victim Michael Menendez was seated in the rear passenger seat and a third victim, who shall remain unidentified, was seated in the front passenger seat. Unknown suspects drove their vehicle along side the victims, in the number one lane (the lane closest to the center divider), and began shooting numerous rounds, striking the victims and their vehicle. Mr. Ulloa lost control of his vehicle and collided with the center divider while the suspects exited the freeway at Fairfax Boulevard.
Michael Menendez was pronounced dead at scene. Alberto Ulloa and the third victim were transported to a local hospital where Mr. Ulloa was pronounced dead. The third victim underwent surgery and survived his injuries.
The victims were not gang members and it did not appear they did anything to provoke the attack. The investigation revealed that the suspects confronted the victims at approximately 11:40 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Bronson Avenue. It is believed the victims were mistaken for gang members and when the victims tried to ignore the suspects to avoid any problems, they were chased onto the Santa Monica Freeway, where the shooting occurred.
The suspects are described as three Black males, 12 to 18 years of age. One suspect, possibly seated in the rear passenger seat, was described as being very small in stature, under 5 feet, and possibly as young as 12 years old.
Witnesses describe the suspect’s vehicle as a 1980’s, blue vehicle, possibly a Honda, Toyota or Nissan, with a faded paint job, possibly a hatchback, with a purple interior dome light. No license plate was obtained.
There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for this crime. Wilshire Homicide detectives are also looking for any witnesses that were westbound on the Santa Monica Freeway between La Brea and Fairfax that remember seeing the two vehicles on November 3, 2001 at approximately 11:55 p.m.
The mothers of the victims will be attending the press conference to ask the public’s help in solving the murders of their children. Photographs of the victims will also be available for the media.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Christine Holryod from the Wilshire Operations Support Division at 213-473-0444 during business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213 485-3586.