2 Youths Held in Death of Rival Gang Member

Two teen-agers were in custody Wednesday on suspicion of the shooting death of a rival gang member, who police believe had earlier gone on a shooting spree south of Boyle Heights.

The 17-year-old boys were being held without bail after the death of another youth, also 17, whose name was withheld pending notification of relatives, said Hollenbeck Station Homicide Detective Sal Nares. Police did not release the names of the suspects because they are minors, Nares said.

Detectives believe the slain boy had gone on a drive-by shooting spree in the area of the Wyvernwood housing project about 9 p.m. Tuesday, said Hollenbeck Station Detective Robert Suter. It is believed he fired numerous shots at rival gang members, although no injuries were reported in those incidents, he said.