RESEDA : Man Faces Trial in Girl’s Killing
An 18-year-old Reseda man was ordered Friday to stand trial on charges connected with the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl, who was caught in a gang cross-fire as she walked home from school.
San Fernando Municipal Court Judge Roy M. Carstairs ordered Aureliano Vasquez to return to Superior Court on March 26 to be arraigned on charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon.
During a two-day preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that Vasquez, two juveniles and Oscar Alberto Prado, 18, were driving near Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda on Feb. 22 when they stopped and confronted a 15-year-old boy from another gang.
Three of the four, all admitted gang members, got out of the car and began beating the teen-ager. A friend of the teen-ager ran up to help his friend, but one of the four gang members then pulled out a gun and began shooting.
At least five shots were fired, according to testimony, including one that killed Rocio Delgado.
A hearing is scheduled in Juvenile Court on March 18 for the two teen-agers arrested with Vasquez. Prado, who police believe fired the shots, has not been arrested.
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.
