Three Suspects Arrested for Killing Handball Player NR13135SF

Los Angeles: On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 3:55 p.m., patrol officers from West Valley Division responded to a radio call of an “Ambulance Cutting” on the grounds of Cleveland High School located in the 8100 block of Vanalden Avenue in Northridge.  Responding officers located the victim, 18-year-old Kevin Orellano of Reseda, who was being treated by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department.  Victim Orellano was transported to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

Police officers from West Valley Division as well as the Los Angeles Unified School Police quickly locked down the crime scene and spoke to numerous witnesses.  According to witnesses, victim Orellano was playing handball with another individual when he was approached by two suspects.  A brief argument took place and one of the suspects punched Orellano in the face.  The suspect continued to fight with the victim at which time the second suspect armed himself with a small pocket knife and stabbed Orellano in the torso.  The suspects then ran from the scene.

Utilizing a variety of investigative tools, including social media, detectives from West Valley Division were able to quickly identify the suspects.  A relentless pursuit of those suspects led to the arrest of a 16-year-old young man and 19-year-old Michael Steven Carpio of Panorama City.  The suspects were arrested in the early morning hours on Thursday, April 25, 2013, and have been booked for murder.

Additional Information

Witnesses reported seeing the two suspects leave the school in a maroon colored mini-van driven by a young Hispanic female.  When the detectives arrested the suspects this morning at 12:15 a.m., at a residence on the 15000 block of Roscoe Boulevard, they also arrested 19-year-old Michelle Pineda for murder.  In addition, the male suspects are documented gang members; however the victim had no apparent gang ties.  The getaway vehicle was also found at the location where the suspects were arrested.

For more information, please call West Valley Homicide Unit at 818-374-7720.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.