Gang Member Is Sought in Killings
A Panorama City gang member described as “armed and dangerous” was being sought by police Saturday in connection with two fatal shootings, one of them outside a Sherman Oaks junior high school that occurred Wednesday, police said.
Salvador Humberto Funes, 20, whose gang name is “Blackie” or “Negro,” was identified by Van Nuys Division homicide detectives as the prime suspect in the two slayings, which occurred about two hours apart.
Alejandro Penaloza, 14, of North Hollywood was gunned down as he stood in front of Millikan Junior High School after classes had been dismissed. Jose Granados, 18, of Van Nuys was shot while fixing his car on a Van Nuys street. Both were gang members, police said.
Detective Jim Vojtecky said police went to Funes’ house early Saturday with an arrest warrant, but he was not there.
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