Man Held in Shooting Death of Sailor

Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies have arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of killing a 20-year-old sailor in East Rancho Dominguez almost two weeks ago, authorities said Thursday.

Raul Martinez was arrested in Moreno Valley in Riverside County early Wednesday evening and booked at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Walnut station.

Homicide investigators say Martinez is the man who opened fire on Osiel Hipolito, his 16-year-old brother and his pregnant wife as they were shopping Sept. 3 on South Atlantic Avenue near Compton Boulevard.

Authorities said the incident began when Hipolito, who had served in the war in Iraq, was attacked by suspected gang members. When he tried to defend himself, authorities said, Martinez pulled out a gun and began shooting.

Hipolito’s wife was shot in the abdomen and the baby, wounded in the leg, was delivered by Caesarean section in the hospital where Hipolito died, said Deputy Scott Gage.

Martinez, who is being held without bail, has also been booked on suspicion of attempted murder for the shooting of Hipolito’s brother, wife and child.

Hipolito had been an Explorer Scout before volunteering for the Navy. He was scheduled to return to the Persian Gulf for a second tour of duty next year, Gage said.