8 Year-old injured in Drive-by Shooting

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 4, 2000

"8 year-old injured in drive-by Shooting"

Los Angeles – On Monday, April 3, 2000, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Newton Area patrol Sergeant Dan Garcia, was driving westbound on the 200 block of West 41st Place, when he observed two vehicles driving eastbound in the opposite direction towards him. Sergeant Garcia noticed that an additional vehicle was also travelling westbound in front of his vehicle. All three vehicles were being driven without their headlights on. The occupants of the vehicle travelling westbound apparently observed Sgt. Garcia and accelerated from the area at a high rate of speed.

The two remaining vehicles travelling eastbound continued to a position near 220 West 41st Place, where Sergeant Garcia observed one of the passengers in the lead vehicle lean out of the window, and began firing at a group of individuals standing in front of 220 West 41st Place. Both vehicles then drove away from the area at a high rate of speed. Sergeant Garcia broadcast a description of the involved vehicles and the suspects.

Shortly thereafter, Newton patrol officers observed a vehicle matching the description provided by Sergeant Garcia, and attempted to conduct a felony stop on the vehicle. The suspects in the fleeing vehicle failed to stop, at which time; the patrol officers initiated a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit terminated near the intersection of Main Street and Vernon Avenue. A subsequent perimeter search resulted in the apprehension of two suspects, Desmond Deshawn Jones and Richard Hardson, both were booked for attempted murder.

During the course of the crime scene investigation, officers determined that two victims had been wounded as a result of the drive-by-shooting. The first victim was an 8 year-old male Hispanic, who was asleep in his bed when the bullet penetrated the wall of his residence. He suffered a non life-threatening graze to his abdomen. The second victim was a 33 year-old male Hispanic, who suffered a non life-threatening wound to his lower leg, as he stood in front of 220 West 41st Place. All victims involved were transported to an area hospital and treated for their injuries.

Newton Operations Support Division is conducting the investigation. Please direct all inquires to the Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.

For Release 5:00 am PDT
April 4, 2000