Man charged with murder in death of 7-Eleven clerk in Highland Park

Prosecutors have filed murder and other charges against a 19-year-old Compton man accused of killing a 7-Eleven convenience store clerk during a series of armed robberies while on probation for two prior convictions.

Rasheen Childs has been charged with one count of special circumstance murder during a robbery, 11 counts of second-degree robbery, one count of attempted second-degree robbery, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of false imprisonment by violence, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office.

The criminal complaint also includes allegations that Childs personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, a handgun, and used a handgun during the robberies, prosecutors said.

HOMICIDE REPORT: Tracking killing in L.A. County

Childs and another man allegedly walked into a 7-Eleven convenience store in the 6100 block of North Figueroa Street in Highland Park around 10:25 p.m. on Dec. 22. Childs pointed a handgun at the clerk, Gonzalo Garcia, then shot him as he attempted to run away, prosecutors say.

Garcia was discovered on the ground with a gunshot wound by Los Angeles police officers. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Prosecutors said Childs has been linked to several other robberies, two of which occurred before the incident that left Garcia dead. The alleged crimes took place on Dec. 19, 20, 22, 27 and 31. Childs allegedly committed one more robbery on Jan. 2, the day he was arrested.

Authorities did not say whether the second person involved in the Dec. 22 shooting has been captured.

Prosecutors didn’t say whether they’ll pursue the death penalty against Childs. He is being held in jail without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 21.

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