Gang Related Death Leads Officers To Robbery Suspects

 
Los Angeles- Devonshire Area Homicide Detectives are investigating the gang related shooting that led to the death of Juan Rocha, a 19 year-old male Hispanic and resident of Panorama City.
On January 9, 2004, at about 11:19 p.m., Rocha, along with a group of pedestrians, were gathered on a sidewalk in front of the La Sierra nightclub located at 8632 Van Nuys Boulevard. While gathered in front, a dark passenger vehicle with several male Hispanic occupants approached the group. As the vehicle pulled adjacent to the group, one of the passengers fired several shots toward the group, striking Rocha in the upper body. The vehicle immediately left the scene. Associates of the victim placed him inside one of their vehicles and drove him to Mission Community Hospital, were he died from his wounds.
Devonshire Area Gang Enforcement officers responded to the area following the shooting and observed the vehicle that was used to transport the victim, and officers detained the occupants. The officers investigation revealed that the vehicle used to transport Rocha to the hospital was used in an armed street robbery a few hours prior to the shooting in the shopping center, located at 7024 Van Nuys Boulevard.
Devonshire Homicide detectives are investigating the alleged robbery and the suspected involvement, which led to the death of Rocha. The motive for this murder appears to be gang related.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Devonshire Homicide Detectives at, 818-756-8291, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On nights and weekends, please call 818-756-8285. The Detective Information Desk can also be contacted on weekends and during off-hours at, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.