Blatant Gang Shooting in Northridge

Los Angeles: West Valley Area Homicide detectives are investigating a gang shooting that left three victims injured.  The detectives have arrested one suspect and looking for others.

The shooting occurred on October 24, 2008, at around 3:45 p.m., near the intersection of Roscoe Boulevard and Tampa Avenue in the community of Northridge.  Three victims were seated in a white sedan and stopped at the curb to pick up a fourth individual when the suspects’ vehicle pulled alongside.  The suspects opened fire with two handguns and struck three victims.  One of the victims, an 18-year-old male, was struck multiple times in the head and upper body.  He was transported to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.  The two other injured victims, ages 17 and 18 years, received non-life threatening injuries.  Both were transported to local hospitals where they were treated and released.  The fourth victim was not struck by gunfire.

West Valley Homicide detectives assumed responsibility for the investigation.  The victims and witnesses described the suspects as being young Hispanic males.  They fled from the scene in an older model van, red or maroon in color.

This brazen act occurred while children from several local schools were walking home and traffic was moving through this busy intersection.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of 18-year old Juan Manuel Martinez of Northridge.  Martinez has been charged with  multiple counts of attempted murder and his bail was set at $8,050,000.

The motive for the shooting is believed to be gang related.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact West Valley Homicide Detectives at 818-374-7725   After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org. All tips may remain anonymous.