2 Bystanders Are Killed in Shooting

Two bystanders were killed in a gang-related shooting Monday night in downtown San Bernardino, a city so overwhelmed by violent crime that the murder rate was the top campaign issue in the recent mayoral election.

The double homicide also came on the first day on the job of the city’s new police chief, Mike Billdt, a veteran city police officer promoted by Mayor Pat Morris.

Police said a teenage gang member opened fire on three rivals near the intersection of 5th and H streets, a busy, crime-ridden section of downtown with many motels and liquor stores.

The men who were killed, ages 50 and 32, were described by police as “unintended targets.”

The 32-year-old was identified as Genaro Prieto, an unemployed plumber from San Bernardino who lived within walking distance of the shooting scene, said his sister, Rosalba.

“I don’t know why he was there; he was just walking by, and [police] told us it was a drive-by and he got shot,” Rosalba Prieto said. “My brother is not a gang member. He has a wife and three kids.”

The 50-year-old victim, also from San Bernardino, was not immediately identified. Investigators said they were still trying to determine why the men were in the area.

Two other men, described by police as rival gang members, also were shot. They fled to a nearby motel and were later tracked down by police. They were listed in stable condition at a local hospital, authorities said.

There were 58 homicides in the city of 200,000 last year, and the shooting death of 11-year-old Mynesha Crenshaw inside her San Bernardino apartment in November led to the creation of a city crime impact team that boosted police street patrols.

“This was our first murder since Feb. 4, that’s 50-something days,” said police spokesman Lt. Mark Garcia. “We feel the crime impact team has had a positive impact. We know we’ll still get some of these [gang shootings] from time to time, but if it’s another 50 or so days, we’re in good shape.”

Garcia said there had been 13 homicides this year, a drop from 17 at this time last year.