National City
Two people were arrested in connection with a National City gang-related killing, police said.
Gustavo Pimentel, 19, of Spring Valley was arrested on suspicion of participating in the fatal shooting of a National City youth last month. He pleaded not guilty to one count of murder at his arraignment Thursday.
A second suspect, a 16-year-old youth, was arrested in the shooting Thursday, police said. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday.
The two have admitted being members of the same gang and are suspected of being involved in the gang-related killing of 18-year-old Luis Coronado, police said. Detectives would not say which of the two suspects might have done the shooting, saying it could harm the investigation. Coronado, a member of another gang, was standing on the corner of 16th Street and Coolidge Avenue with about five friends June 29 when a car stopped near the group, National City Detective Craig Boegler said.
Someone stepped out of the car, shouted a gang name and began firing at Coronado. The killer fired several times and continued to shoot as Coronado tried to run away, Boegler said.
After Coronado was down, the shooter re-entered the car and fled, Boegler said.
Pimentel is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail at County Jail downtown until his bail hearing Monday. The other suspect is at Juvenile Hall.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
