Gang Shooting Takes Lives of Two Brothers

 
Los Angeles : On Thursday, February 3, 2005, at about 5:30 p.m., two brothers were struck by gunfire after becoming involved in a confrontation over gang affiliation.
15 year-old Miguel Zapata and his brother 16 year-old David Zapata were taken to a nearby hospital. Both of them were unable to recover from multiple gunshot wounds and died at the hospital.
Miguel and David Zapata along with a friend were standing in front of a Wienerschnitzel Restaurant when three young Hispanic males approached them. After a conversation regarding gang affiliation one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot both Miguel and David Zapata. A friend of the brothers was not hit.
The three suspects ran from the scene. Witnesses later directed officers to a nearby trash dumpster where officers found the gun the suspects used. West Valley detectives were able to identify two 16 year-old suspects. The two young suspects were later arrested at their homes in Canoga Park at 2:00 a.m.
Two 16 year-old suspects were booked for the murder of Miguel and David Zapata.
Anyone with additional information is requested to contact the West Valley Homicide Detectives at 818-756-8591. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free anonymous number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.