Man Gets 15 Years to Life in Killing of Boy on Bus
A man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life in prison for shooting to death a 13-year-old boy on an RTD bus in downtown Los Angeles.
Joel D. Sanders, 22, of Los Angeles surrendered to police a day after the May 6 slaying of Angel Ruben Hernandez.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregson Somes said the Silver Lake boy was riding in the back of the crowded bus with his father, Jose Ruben Irias, 35, when Sanders boarded on Broadway near 8th Street.
Sanders, who listed his occupation as a security guard, began harassing the approximately 75 passengers and Irias told the man to “take it easy,” Somes said.
Sanders then drew a .38-caliber revolver and fired a single shot, hitting the teen-ager in the chest. Somes said the bullet was meant for Irias.
Sanders was convicted of second-degree murder with a special allegation of using a gun.
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