Gang Shooting Leaves Young Victim Wounded

{UPDATE}

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles police have arrested three suspects responsible for shooting and wounding a 7-year-old girl in South Los Angeles.

The shooting took place on Tuesday, February 17, in the 300 block of West 47th Street while the girl was inside her home with her grandmother and grandfather.  A white minivan with paper plates pulled up in front and a gunman got out of the passenger side and blatantly fired several shots into the residence.  The girl was shot in the chest with one of the rounds.

She was rushed to a local hospital where she is currently listed in stable condition.

Newton Area Gang Detectives worked tirelessly through the night and were able to identify all three suspects.  On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, detectives served several search warrants and were able to arrest all three suspects in South Los Angeles.  

Detectives believe the motive for the shooting was an on-going child custody dispute between the girl’s father and his estranged ex-wife, 29-year-old Toni Valentin.  On the day of shooting, Valentin and her new boyfriend Dante Quezada, 32 years of age, a known gang member, decided to commit a drive-by shooting at her ex-husband’s residence.  Valentin and Quezada enlisted the help of another friend, 36-year-old Felipe Carias, and borrowed his van.

At 7:15 p.m., Valentin drove the van with Quezada, Carias, and her 5-year-old daughter to her ex-husband’s residence.  Upon arriving, Quezada exited the van and fired numerous rounds into the residence, striking the 7-year-old girl.

All three suspects were booked for Attempt Murder with the bail of $500,000.00 each.

The investigation revealed the 7-year-old girl is Valentine’s niece

Anyone with information about this shooting incident is asked to call Newton detectives at 323-846-6565.  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 are anonymous.