RESEDA, Calif.—A 19-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a man at a Metro Orange Line bus stop in Reseda was arrested after fleeing to Mexico, police said on Sept. 12.
Angel Garcia of Tarzana was identified by Operations-Valley Bureau homicide detectives as the killer of Brandyn Rodrigo Mendez, 28, of Van Nuys, police said.
Further investigation revealed that Mr. Garcia likely fled to Mexico after the Aug. 4 shooting and a warrant was obtained for his arrest, police said.
Members of the Los Angeles Police Department Gang and Narcotic Division and FBI Fugitive Task Force located Mr. Garcia in Mexico on Sept. 5. Mr. Garcia was transported to Los Angeles on Sept. 6 with the assistance of Mexican authorities and taken into custody by police, police said.
Mr. Garcia was booked for murder and attempted murder and was being held at the Valley Jail in Van Nuys in lieu of $2 million bail, police said.
Mr. Mendez and a second victim were discovered in a parking lot near the intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Oxnard Street at about 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took both victims to a hospital where Mr. Mendez was pronounced dead, police said.
The other victim was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
“The two victims had arrived at the Orange Line bus station and were involved in a confrontation with the suspect,” police said on Aug. 5. “During the confrontation, the suspect produced a handgun and fired multiple times at the victims. The suspect then fled the scene.”
Anyone with additional information about this homicide was urged to call Detective Israel Lopez at 818-374-9550.
