2 arrested in killing of father responding to Craigslist ad

Two people have been arrested in connection with the Oct. 19 slaying of a father who was responding to a Craigslist ad for a cellphone, Los Angeles police officials said.

The Los Angeles Police Department will hold a news conference Monday afternoon at the 77th Street Community Police Station to provide more details about the events leading up to the shooting and will identify the suspects, a 17-year-old teenager and an 18-year-old man, according to a news release from the department.

Rene Balbuena, 41, and his 15-year-old son drove to 92nd Street and South Gramercy Place in South Los Angeles about 7:40 p.m. Oct. 19 in response to a cellphone advertisement online.

HOMICIDE REPORT: Tracking killings in L.A. County

Police said that the two suspects walked up to Balbuena’s vehicle from behind and demanded his money.

Balbuena got out of the car and a person began to shoot at him. The two suspects ran from the scene.

Balbuena was taken to a hospital, where he died. His son was treated and released.

The shooting was the first in the city in 10 days. The last time the city went 10 days without a homicide was in 2010.

ALSO:

Storm to bring gusty winds, rain, snow to Southland

710 Freeway fully open after big-rig tanker crash, fire

More than 1,000 mourn boy who was killed while holding replica rifle

Twitter: @nicolesantacruz

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com