Homicide Detectives Investigate a Fatal Gang-Related Shooting

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 16, 1999

Rampart Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of Manuel Araujo, a male Hispanic 19 years of age.

On August 14, 1999 at approximately 11:25 pm, the victim was in front of his residence, located in the 1400 block of South Bonnie Brae Street. The suspects drove northbound on Bonnie Brae Street and stopped just north of the victim’s location. The passenger exited the vehicle and began firing indiscriminately with an assault rifle southbound on Bonnie Brae Street into several persons who were standing on the sidewalk. The suspect then reentered the vehicle and all suspects fled northbound Bonnie Brae to westbound 14th Street. The suspects crashed and abandoned their vehicle into the traffic island located at 14th Street and Malvern Avenue.

The suspect’s fusillade claimed two victims. Araujo, who expired at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, and Jose Zenita, a male Hispanic 29 years of age. Zenita was struck in the left leg. Zenita was treated and released from California Hospital.
The shooter is described as a male Hispanic, 17 to 18 years of age, thin, wearing a brown shirt. The possible murder weapon was recovered in near proximity to the crashed suspects’ vehicle. The suspects were in a gray 2 door, 1988 Nissan Sentra. The crime is gang related.

For Release 10:00 am PDT
August 16, 1999