2 charged in shooting rampage that left 4 dead

Two men suspected in a random shooting rampage in southeastern Los Angeles County that left four people dead, including a 14-year-old boy, and two others injured were charged Thursday with four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Gary Garcia Jr., 42, and Timberland Wayne McKneely, 20, are accused of having “embarked on a random and brutal shooting spree in Bell, Huntington Park, Cudahy and unincorporated areas of L.A. County,” District Attorney George Gascón told reporters during a news conference at his downtown Los Angeles office. (A previous story had McKneely’s name somewhat wrong.)

The victims “all appear to have been targeted randomly as they merely moved about their daily life,” the district attorney said.

Garcia and McKneely could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if they are convicted as charged.

The first shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the 6500 block of Bear Avenue in Bell, killing 24-yearold Kevin Parada.

A 29-year-old man also was fired upon but was not injured.

Shortly after midnight, another shooting, killing a 27-year-old man, occurred Monday in the 1500 block of East Florence Avenue in unincorporated Florence-Firestone.

Two boys were shot a short time later in the 5000 block of Live Oak Street near the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy. One was pronounced dead at the scene.

The fourth shooting occurred about 2:40 a.m. Monday in the 6300 block of Santa Fe Avenue in Huntington Park, near Gage Avenue, hitting a homeless man.

Surveillance video shows a Honda Pilot SUV was at each location around the time of the attacks, authorities said, with the vehicle pulled over in San Bernardino County and one suspect arrested. Investigators then identified the second suspect. They are alleged gang members.

A possible motive had not been discussed publicly by the authorities.