Double Shooting Occurs in North Hills

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, July 1, 1999
On Thursday, July 1, 1999, at approximately 3:55 a.m., a double shooting occurred in front of the apartment complex located at 9000 block of Burnet Avenue, in the North Hills. Numerous citizens in the vicinity reported hearing several gunshots and telephoned 9-1-1. Devonshire Area patrol personnel responded to the location and observed a male Hispanic lying motionless on the lawn area in front of the building. A second male Hispanic victim was located in the courtyard area of the complex. Both victims incurred apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body. LAFD paramedic personnel responded to the location. The victim located in front of the building expired at the scene. The victim located in the courtyard was transported to Mission Community Hospital in serious condition.

Witnesses observed at least two male Hispanic suspects flee from the scene on foot. There is no further suspect description available at this time. The suspects and weapon remain outstanding and the motive for the double shooting is under investigation.

The decedent was identified as Daniel Vilchez, a 17 year old resident of Panorama City. Victim two was identified as Otto Vega, a 23 year old resident of Panorama City. He remains in critical/stable condition.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Devonshire Area Homicide unit.

UPDATE:

The investigation conducted by the Devonshire Area Homicide Unit led to the identification of two admitted gang members as being responsible for the robbery and shooting of both victims. On Friday, July 23, 1999, at approximately 6:15 a.m., members of several Operations Valley Bureau CRASH Units served search and arrest warrants at the homes of the two identified suspects, as well as the residences of two known associates. Three suspects were detained at Devonshire Station. Suspect Ever Rivera, a 20 year-old resident of Van Nuys, and Alex Hluz, an 18 year-old resident of Panorama City, were arrested and booked for the murder of Daniel Vilchis. A third associate was questioned and released. The investigation is continuing pending review by the District Attorney’s Office on July 27, 1999.

For Release 3:15 pm PST
July 1, 1999