Teenager shot and killed during street takeover in Willowbrook
A teenage boy was shot to death Sunday night during a street takeover in Willowbrook, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Detectives responded to a report of a shooting and street racing in the 13400 block of Mettler Avenue at 11:57 p.m., according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.
Deputies found an unresponsive youth between the ages of 15 to 20, suffering from gunshot wounds, police said.
Spectators Javier Carachure Menchaca, 19, and Juan Antonio Orozco, 22, were shot to death during the street takeover on Nov. 14, 2021.
The youth was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to authorities. Police don’t believe the incident to be gang-related.
No suspect or vehicle information is available.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Los Angeles officials have been attempting to crack down on street racing and takeovers after seeing a surge during the pandemic. L.A. lawmakers are considering passing an ordinance that would criminalize promoting, instigating or encouraging such events online.
The $588-million span connecting the Arts District to the Eastside becomes a totem for fissures over transit, policing, housing, equity and land use.
Compton, near Willowbrook, spent $4,000 to install pavement markers called Botts Dots at popular intersections for street takeovers in hopes it would discourage the practice by making the road bumpy.
Botts Dots were also installed at the 6th Street Bridge this week in Boyle Heights to discourage street racing.
Botts Dots helped curb street racing in Lynwood and Paramount.
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