Alleged Gang Member Charged in East Los Angeles Murders of Two

Alleged Gang Member Charged in
East Los Angeles Murders of Two

April 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

LOS ANGELES – An alleged Bell gang member was charged by the District Attorney’s office today with capital murder for the fatal shootings of two, 22-year-men in East Los Angeles on Monday.

Christopher Lee Savala, 28 (dob 4-30-1979), was expected to appear for arraignment this afternoon in Division 30 of Los Angeles Superior Court. He was charged in case No. BA338581 with two counts of murder with the special circumstances that the killings were gang related and were multiple murders. The complaint also alleged that Savala used a handgun to commit the crimes.

Although charged as a capital case, the District Attorney’s office will not make a decision on whether to seek the death penalty until the case moves closer to trial.

Benjamin Renteria and Diego Vargas were shot to death Monday afternoon in unincorporated county territory in East Los Angeles. Authorities said Savala was socializing with four acquaintances in the 1200 block of South Herbert Avenue. The victims, allegedly connected with a rival Maywood gang, showed up, words were exchanged and the men were shot to death.

Savala fled, but was arrested by Sheriff’s deputies a few hours after the shooting. He remains in custody without bail.

Although the murders occurred less than a half-hour after two men were shot and killed at a used car lot on nearby Olympic Boulevard, authorities said the incidents were not related.

The case will be handled by the District Attorney’s Hardcore Gang Division. A prosecutor has not yet been assigned. The Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is the investigative agency on the case.

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