Gang Member Held in Shopping Mall Shooting

One gang member was arrested Thursday and another was being sought in connection with the recent shooting at a West Covina shopping mall in which two people were slightly injured.

Richard Ramos, 19, of Monterey Park was taken into custody by West Covina police on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers were staking out the neighborhood where Ramos lives when he was spotted walking down the street at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Still at large was Edmund Anthony Luera, 17, of Monrovia. His picture was released Thursday evening at a news conference by West Covina police, who sought help from the public.

“If they see him, they should notify the appropriate law enforcement agency,” Lt. Lee Rossman said. “Do not make any attempt to apprehend him due to his propensity for violence.”

Police described Luera as a 5-foot, 10-inch Latino, weighing 163 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Although he is a juvenile, a Superior Court judge approved divulging his name because of the seriousness of the crime.

Both suspects are believed to have fired shots that wounded a 45-year-old woman and a 15-year-old gang member who were treated at hospitals for minor wounds and released.

Witnesses identified the suspects as having been involved in the shootings, police said. The gunfire erupted at 6:30 p.m. Monday in The Plaza after members of a gang from Duarte and rivals from Monrovia and El Monte argued on the mall’s first floor, police said.

The youths were heading for an exit to continue their dispute outside when several broke into a run, turned and fired at least 15 shots. More than 50 shoppers ducked for cover behind store walls or fell to the ground.

The shootings outraged West Covina officials and Plaza operators who pledged to increase security and police patrols at the mall.

“Our City Council has made it clear we will not tolerate punks on parade in our town,” said West Covina City Manager Jim Starbird.

“They’ve tried this in Westwood Village, in Long Beach and in other upscale shopping districts,” Starbird said of gang members. “When they set their targets on West Covina, they made a big mistake.”