2 Men Arrested in Shooting That Killed Baby

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with Saturday’s drive-by shooting in Compton that left a baby girl dead and two women wounded.

Jessie Michael Souza, 20, the suspected gunman, was arrested Monday night in Long Beach, where police said they found the white Mustang allegedly used in the drive-by. Just hours later, a Special Weapons and Tactics team entered a Compton residence and arrested a second suspect, 25-year-old Abel Gonzales Jr., police said.

Police say Gonzales was behind the wheel of the Mustang on Saturday afternoon when it pulled up to an apartment building in the 100 block of East Cypress Street. Souza then allegedly sprayed gunfire from a high-powered assault weapon at a group of people gathered outside.

One bullet struck 10-month-old Kylah Morse in the head while she was resting in her mother’s arms on the sidewalk. She was pronounced dead at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center less than an hour later.

Another victim, Kylah’s aunt, was struck in the leg outside the building. A third woman in an upstairs apartment was struck in the back by glass from a shattered window. Both were treated at a local hospital and released.

The suspects are being held without bail on one charge of murder and two charges of attempted murder.

“We believe it was gang-related,” said Capt. Steven Roller, Compton police spokesman. “There were some male subjects in front of the apartment who were the intended targets.”

Souza, who lives in Compton, was hiding out at his sister’s Long Beach apartment Monday night when he realized he was under surveillance, police said. With the aid of two others, he first tried to flee in the Mustang, then exited the car and took off on foot.

With the help of Long Beach police, investigators surrounded the area and detained Souza about 10:45 p.m.

A second surveillance team was staking out Gonzales’ residence and Gonzales was taken into custody without incident.