Arrest Made In Shooting Death Of Whittier Boy, 17
WHITTIER (CBS) — Sheriff's detectives have made an arrest in the murder of a 17-year-old Hispanic boy, officials announced Tuesday.
Eudiel Lopez, 19, was arrested Monday evening in the fatal shooting of Michael Soto. Soto was shot in the head in the 9100 block of Painter Avenue in Whittier Monday afternoon.
Detectives and K-9 units on the scene were able to track down and arrest Lopez a block away from the scene of the murder, officials said.
"A handgun was also recovered and is believed to be the murder weapon, however ballistics testing must be done to confirm this belief," Sgt. Pauline Panis said.
Lopez is currently homeless, but has ties to the Whittier area, Panis said.
Officials believe the shooting was gang related. The sheriff's department is not releasing a booking photo for Lopez at this time.
Lopez was booked on suspicion of murder at the Norwalk's Sheriff's Station.
Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500; or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
