Police Name Suspect in Holiday Slaying

Police said Friday that they have identified a gunman suspected of killing 19-year-old Francisco Nieto during the Memorial Day weekend.

Sina Chris Nang, 20, is believed to be responsible for the Monday shooting, said Det. Al Aldaz of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Nieto was one of two young men shot shortly after 1 a.m. outside an apartment complex in the 14400 block of Valerio Street.

Nieto was shot in the chest and died from his injuries. Enrique Somar, 20, was shot in the leg and survived the attack.

Police believe the shooting stems from an ongoing argument between Somar and Nang, who both lived in the apartment complex and knew each other.

Somar had taken a necklace from Nang’s younger brother and failed to return it, Aldaz said.

Nang was seen with six to 12 friends at the apartment complex the night of the shooting.

He allegedly fired several shots at Nieto and Somar, but the bullets were meant for only one victim, Aldaz said.

“It appears Mr. Somar was the intended target,” Aldaz said.

Nang reportedly returned to the cluster of apartments and bragged about the shooting, police said. No one has seen the suspect since, but police believe friends are hiding him.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Nang.

He is described by authorities as a male Cambodian, about 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 100 pounds.

He has brown eyes and reddish-orange hair, police said. Anyone with information should call (818) 756-8377.