8 More Charged in Birthday Party Brawl That Left Man Dead

Charges have been filed against eight more teenagers in a mass attack with clubs and knives at a birthday party in Woodland Hills that left a man dead, police said Friday.

Three teenagers had already been charged with the murder of Jason Allan Shaw, 20, at his Woodland Hills home during the party he threw March 2 for a friend. Friday, police said they have charged eight young men, including three juveniles, with conspiracy to commit assault.

Police allege that one of the slaying suspects, Michael Baker, said he wanted to “even the score” when he summoned the others by beeper after he had been ejected from the party.

Those charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit assault are Jose Lucas, Bryan Dyer, Kevin Heschong, Aaron Bowden and Frederick Estrada, all 18 and from Simi Valley. Three 17-year-olds, all from Simi Valley, also face charges, police said.

Three Chatsworth men--Baker, 19; Christopher Bryan Paonessa, 18, and Dino Ferrari Riggio, 18--have been charged with murder.

The trouble started when Shaw and Baker got into a brawl over a balloon filled with laughing gas, which was readily available for guests at the party to inhale, according to West Valley Division Homicide Det. Rick Swanston.

With the help of friends, Shaw forcibly removed Baker, the detective said. Baker left the area, but later returned with 15-20 people whom he asked “to back him up while he went to the party to ‘even the score,’ ” Swanston said.

“Eleven of them entered the house armed with clubs, sticks and knives,” the detective said. Moments afterward, they stabbed Shaw and another man and then fled in two vehicles, Swanston said.

In all, 12 young men were arrested and initially booked on suspicion of murder. But nine were released pending further investigation. Eight of them now face charges, Swanston said.

Police would not comment Friday on how many of those charged have been arrested, but said they expected the suspects would turn themselves in before the arraignment date next week.