NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Four Youths Held in Dance Hall Slaying
Four alleged gang members from North Hollywood were in custody Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the shooting of a 20-year-old man who had tried to break up a fight outside a dance hall, police said. Fredy Ramirez, 21; Mardo Calderon, 18, and two teen-agers--one 16 years old and the other 15--were arrested in connection with the death of Esteban De Los Santos of North Hollywood, according to Police Detective Charles Uribe.
De Los Santos was pronounced dead about 6:30 a.m. Sunday at AMI Medical Center in North Hollywood from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to Uribe, De Los Santos was among a group of about 100 people inside Club Azteca at Lankershim Boulevard and Cumpston Street on Saturday night celebrating a coming-out party for a 15-year-old girl when an argument broke out between two groups.
A group of alleged gang members involved in the argument were thrown out of the party but apparently waited outside for the other group. When they came out, the gang members reportedly began a fight with them.
Uribe said De Los Santos was apparently trying to break up the fight when he was shot at least twice.
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.
