Gang Members Convicted in Drive-By Slaying of Boy, 8

Two street gang members were convicted of first-degree murder Tuesday in the killing of an 8-year-old boy in a drive-by shooting near downtown Los Angeles two years ago.

Alberto Orozco, 24, and Francisco Beltran, 20, face sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole in the killing of Sunny Elijah Peralez of Long Beach, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The jury deliberated for two days. Both men will be sentenced May 29.

Peralez and his family were visiting friends on the evening of Aug. 6, 1999, when he was struck by gunfire while standing in the stairwell of a two-story apartment building. The gunfire came from a carload of gang members driving in the 2100 block of Adair Street, Gibbons said.

They were probably aiming for a 22-year-old reputed gang member who was outside talking with friends, Gibbons said.

“The people that we believe were the targets managed to duck out of cover,” Gibbons said.

Only Peralez, who died later at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, was hit.

Orozco, who authorities say was the gunman, and Beltran were arrested the next month.

The driver of the vehicle and other gang members believed to have been in the car are still being sought.