SANTA MONICA -- Four reputed gang members were arrested for murder after a man was found shot to death near a park in Santa Monica.
Police said they arrested Patrick Dwight Birdsong Jr., 18; Norman Lovan Cole, 33; Sean Alex Mermer, 29; and a male juvenile whose identity cannot be released because he is a minor.
Several gunshots were heard around 8:52 p.m. Tuesday by a police officer on patrol in the area 21st Street and Pico Boulevard, said Santa Monica Police Lt. Mohamed Marhaba.
Officials say two attackers approached the park where Richard Manuel Juarez, 20, and three Santa Monica High students were standing.
The assailants fired multiple shots at Juarez and the others, police said. The three students ran away and were not hit, but Juarez was struck at least once.
Juarez was pronounced dead near Virginia Avenue park, in the area of 22nd Street and Virginia Avenue, according to investigators.
All four of the suspect were booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and promoting a criminal street gang, police said.
Cole and Mermer also were booked on suspicion of violating parole.
Authorities in Santa Monica said they had increased patrols and would be out in force Friday for Santa Monica High School's homecoming football game.
Police said they arrested Patrick Dwight Birdsong Jr., 18; Norman Lovan Cole, 33; Sean Alex Mermer, 29; and a male juvenile whose identity cannot be released because he is a minor.
Several gunshots were heard around 8:52 p.m. Tuesday by a police officer on patrol in the area 21st Street and Pico Boulevard, said Santa Monica Police Lt. Mohamed Marhaba.
Officials say two attackers approached the park where Richard Manuel Juarez, 20, and three Santa Monica High students were standing.
The assailants fired multiple shots at Juarez and the others, police said. The three students ran away and were not hit, but Juarez was struck at least once.
Juarez was pronounced dead near Virginia Avenue park, in the area of 22nd Street and Virginia Avenue, according to investigators.
All four of the suspect were booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and promoting a criminal street gang, police said.
Cole and Mermer also were booked on suspicion of violating parole.
Authorities in Santa Monica said they had increased patrols and would be out in force Friday for Santa Monica High School's homecoming football game.
