Police Arrest Man in Cleveland High Shooting

Los Angeles police Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man who they allege shot a Panorama City man in the face, seriously wounding him, during a track meet at Cleveland High School in Reseda early this month.

Suspected gang member Lafayette Hudspeth was arrested in his South-Central Los Angeles apartment on suspicion of attempted murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, police said. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to prosecutors.

Hudspeth was awaiting arraignment, scheduled Thursday, in the West Valley Jail, where he was being held without bail.

Detectives of the LAPD anti-gang unit, CRASH, are looking for two additional suspects, who could face lesser charges, according to Lt. George Rock.

On May 1, three youths got into an argument with two 18-year-olds at a track meet between Cleveland and Granada Hills high schools. “There was some staring back and forth,” Rock said. “That escalated into verbal confrontation like: ‘Hey, what are you looking at? Let’s take it outside.’ ”

In the student parking lot, the men got into a fistfight, and Hudspeth drew a handgun and fired at one of the 18-year-olds, Raymond Rice, Rock said. The bullet plowed alongside one of Rice’s cheeks, hitting some teeth.

As the three fled, another shot was fired at the other 18-year-old, Jason Folse, but it missed him.

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One of the victims said the attackers yelled a gang affiliation as they fled in a green Ford Mustang. None of the men involved in the shooting were Cleveland or Granada Hills students, police said.

CRASH detectives serving the arrest warrant at Hudspeth’s residence in the 1800 block of South Carmona Avenue found a 9-millimeter handgun, which is registered in Hudspeth’s name, Rock said. Investigators are currently conducting forensic tests on the gun and a bullet that was surgically removed from Rice’s mouth to determine whether the weapon was used in the shooting, Rock said.

Investigators said they were led to Hudspeth’s 1995 Ford Mustang by an anonymous phone tip. Subsequently, Rice, Folse and two witnesses identified Hudspeth in a photographic lineup, Rock said.

Police have not identified the other suspects, but Rock said they would almost certainly face lesser charges.

News of Hudspeth’s arrest was received with relief by Cleveland High School officials.

“I’m just thrilled that it wasn’t one of my kids,” said Assistant Principal Allan J. Weiner. “We’re proud of our safety at this school.”

Weiner said plans are underway to hire more school police officers and use metal detectors at outside sports events next fall. The school uses metal detectors for inside events, Weiner said.

Weiner said school officials are also considering a proposal to install new lights and security cameras above the student parking lot.