Youth, Man Die in 2 Shootings Tied to Gangs

A Pasadena youth and a South Los Angeles man were shot to death Sunday in separate incidents that authorities said appeared to be gang-related.

The Pasadena slaying occurred shortly after noon. Police said Rodrigo Alonso Jr., 17, was in the driver’s seat of an automobile parked in the 1000 block of North Garfield Avenue, talking to a 16-year-old male friend in the passenger seat, when they were approached by two young men identified as gang members.

Witnesses said one of the two who approached the car opened fire from about six feet, shooting Alonso four times and the 16-year-old three times. Alonso died about an hour later at Huntington Memorial Hospital, and the 16-year-old was reported in stable condition with bullet wounds in his head and chest.

The second incident occurred about five hours later. Sheriff’s deputies said James Perry, 20, made a purchase at a liquor store in the 6000 block of South Hooper Street and became involved in an argument with several gang members loitering there.

Deputies said Perry left the store and was walking north when one of the gang members approached, drew a handgun and shot him in the head. Perry was pronounced dead at the scene.