Officers during last night’s press conference to announce two arrests in the fatal shooting outside Wilson High school that took the life of 16-year old Melody Ross continually said that they were led to the suspects thanks to extra manpower and extreme determination from detectives working around the clock.
Acting Police Chief Billy Quach noted that officers and detectives from several outside units were brought in to work together on the case.
“I’m extremely proud of their teamwork,” Quach said last night.
When officers first arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting occurred just before 10:00pm last Friday night, there was little physical evidence.
The alleged shooter had fled on foot and the crowd of between 400 and 500 gathered around Ximeno Avenue outside the football field had mostly scattered. Only six witnesses came forward to work with police that night, so extra manpower was needed to make a break in the case.
“We brought in additional officers to help,” said Lieutenant Lloyd Cox from the Homicide Unit.
Authorities from gang units and outside homicide units were among those used in the investigation. They patrolled the scene looking for clues and evidence, and interviewed witnesses who had come forward.
When school began again on Monday, seven more witnesses came forward. The number continued to increase as the days wore on, leading police closer and closer to the subjects.
Police last night explained that officers had worked exhaustively to break clues in the case, and that many had become emotionally attached. Surely, heavy media coverage of the fatal incident and the frequent use of phrases like “honor student” and “well-liked” when describing Ross contributed to the determination to find her killer.
Officers routinely work around the clock with little evidence to go on, but the Ross case seemed to have been an extraordinary example of teamwork. Earlier in this past year, one 15-year old boy was killed outside his home in August and another 15-year old boy was fatally shot in broad daylight last January. No suspects have been charged in those murders.
“The differences in this case are we know there were 400 people on the scene and a lot of people saw what happened,” said Lt. Cox. “The type of investigation called for that kind of support.”
One of the 16-year old boys is from Long Beach, while the other in custody is from Bellflower. The Press-Telegram’s Tracy Manzer has reported that the shooter’s name is Tom Vinson.
Lieutenant Cox said that detectives will bring the case before the District Attorney today.
“I can tell you the shooter will be charged with murder, and certainly attempted murder for the two that were injured,” he said.
Police are still not releasing the names of the two males, 18 and 20, that were injured during the shooting.
“It appears that the injured were the intended targets,” said Deputy Chief William Blair.
Police believe the incident occurred when a fight between two rival street gangs broke out on Ximeno Avenue shortly following the football game between Wilson High and Poly High. They were adamant, however, that the fight was not between schools and had nothing to do with a feud between Wilson and Poly.
Related Stories:
11.02.09 Reward For Info About Shooting Increases To $20,000
11.02.09 $10K Reward Offered For Information In Fatal Shooting
11.02.09 Search For Wilson High Shooter Continues
10.31.09 Wilson Student Killed Outside School In Shooting
10.30.09 Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved
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