3 Gang Members Held in Fatal Shooting

Three gang members were being held on suspicion of murder Thursday in the shooting death of a 15-year-old Reseda boy during a fight, Los Angeles police said.

The victim, whose name was not released, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso and was pronounced dead at the scene after the Wednesday shooting, Officer Dan Gonzalez said.

The victim’s companion, Francisco Huerta, 14, was shot in the hand and was taken to a local hospital, police said.

Francisco and the shooting victim were walking in the 7800 block of Reseda Boulevard about 11 p.m. Wednesday when they were confronted by three young males, police said.

“An argument ensued between the suspects and the victims regarding gang activity in the area,” Gonzalez said.

The three “pulled out guns and began shooting at the victims,” Gonzalez said.

Fred Balitan, 20, of Canoga Park, who was shot in the arm during the Wednesday incident, was being held without bail at the jail ward of Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, police said. He was listed in satisfactory condition.

Balitan was arrested Wednesday night when he went to receive treatment for his injury at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Woodland Hills.

The two other suspects, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, were arrested Thursday at their Woodland Hills home, Detective Rick Swanston said.