A man has been arrested in the murder of 13-year-old Saith Mendez as he was visiting his mother at a Pico Rivera gas station over the weekend, authorities announced late Thursday.
Andres Chavez, a 20-year-old resident of Pico Rivera, was identified earlier in the day as a suspect in the Aug. 23 fatal shooting of Mendez, whose mother was working her night shift at the 76 Gas Station in the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard just before midnight.
“In a senseless and unprovoked attack, this young man murdered a 13-year-old boy in front of his mother,” said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Pico Rivera.
Investigators said Mendez was walking back to his mother’s car when Chavez, who had exited from the back seat of a parked vehicle, drew a firearm “without provocation” and shot the teen at close range.
“The suspect then stood over Saith and fired multiple additional rounds before fleeing on foot into a nearby residential area,” the Sheriff’s Department said. Mednez was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Thursday, Chavez was stopped by deputies shortly before 6 p.m. on the 9500 block of Whittier Boulevard and arrested, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated.
He has been booked on suspicion of murder and is being held on $2 million bail, officials said.
Anyone with further information about the incident was encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go to the lacrimestoppers.org website.
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