7 Arrested in Slaying of Boy, 16, at Mall in San Fernando Valley

Two men and five teen-agers have been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old Taft High School student outside the movie theaters at the Fallbrook Mall in West Hills, Los Angeles police said Sunday.

The suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 19, included four teen-age girls. Two of those arrested--Elliott Singletary and Tommy Lee Williams, both 19--are believed to be the gang members who confronted the victim and a friend Friday night at the San Fernando Valley shopping center, police said.

Moments after the confrontation, Williams allegedly fired several shots at the two teen-agers from a passing car. Ramtin Shaolian died hours later from his wounds. His friend, Mehdi Sina-Kadiz, was released from the hospital Sunday after treatment for gunshot wounds to the leg and torso.

“I don’t believe there was a motive,” Detective Jary Quinones said. “There was a verbal exchange . . . and that was it.”

Singletary and Williams were booked for investigation of murder and were expected to be arraigned Tuesday. Four others, 15- to 17-year-old girls, also were arrested on murder-related charges while a 16-year-old boy was arrested as an accessory to the crime. All five juveniles, who were not identified, were released to their parents, Quinones said.

Ramtin and a group of a friends were at the mall’s General Cinema Theatres to see the a movie after spending Friday at Zuma beach.