17-Year-Old Held in Fatal Gang-Related Rampage

A 17-year-old North Hollywood boy was arrested Thursday as a suspect in a one-day crime rampage that included the slaying of a rival gang member, the attempted murder of another, the robbery of three women and the theft and arson of a car, Los Angeles police said.

At least three other gang members are being sought as accomplices, police said.

The youth, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was arrested at his home during a 7 a.m. raid by detectives investigating the shooting Sunday of 19-year-olds Daniel Solis and Sayeed Fayad, both of North Hollywood.

Solis was killed and Fayad critically injured when they were gunned down in an alley behind Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys. Police termed the shooting a “setup” because the two victims were shot as they approached a car they thought contained members of a friendly gang. The youths in the car had exchanged gang “passwords” with the victims that drew them to the car, police said.

The youth arrested Thursday is believed to have fired at the victims. Detective James Vojtecky said police were led to him by witnesses and undisclosed evidence relating to the car used during the shooting.

Authorities found the abandoned car Tuesday on Sherman Way. It had been stripped and set on fire. Detectives learned that it had been reported stolen Sunday about three hours before Solis and Sayeed were shot at 3:30 a.m.

Vojtecky said three women were in the car on a North Hollywood street when they were approached by four youths, who proceeded to rob them of their purses and take the car. He said the youth arrested in the shooting was identified as one of the robbers. The women were not injured.

Detectives who arrested the youth at his home found a gun during the search but had not determined Thursday if it was the weapon used in the shooting.

The youth was being held without bail on suspicion of murder at the Sylmar Juvenile Hall. Vojtecky said detectives will ask the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office to file charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery, car theft and arson against him today.