News Releases

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced charges against two additional individuals, 18-year-old Joseivan Mendoza and 17-year-old Deair Fleming Delerence, for their involvement in separate shootings during a multi-city crime spree that killed six people, including a 14-year-old boy, in November 2023 and February 2024.

“Last week, our office charged two men in the murders of four innocent people, including a child,” District Attorney Gascón said. “This week, we have charged a juvenile in connection with those four murders, and filed additional charges against Mr. McKneely and another man for the tragic murders of two additional men.

My heart remains with all the victims, their loved ones, and the communities who have been affected by this senseless violence. My office is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served to all individuals responsible for these heinous murders. I join with all Los Angeles County residents in expressing my gratitude for the hardworking members of law enforcement who continue to investigate these horrific murders.”

In a news conference last week, District Attorney Gascón announced charges against Gary Garcia Jr. and Timberland McKneely, who allegedly shot and killed three men and a 14-year-old boy between February 11 and 12 in the cities of Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, and unincorporated Los Angeles.

On November 24, 2023, McKneely and Mendoza allegedly shot and killed two men, ages 30 and 28, in unincorporated Los Angeles and Cudahy.

On February 11 and 12, 2024, Garcia, McKneely and Delerence allegedly shot and killed three men between the ages of 24-45 years old, and a child, who was 14 years old. A29-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy were also fired upon. The boy sustained injuries while the man did not. 

Gary Garcia Jr. (dob 07/20/1981) has been charged with four counts of murder, and two counts of attempted willful, deliberate, premeditated murder.

Timberland McKneely (dob 03/13/2003) is charged with six counts of murder, and two counts of attempted willful, deliberate, premeditated murder. This includes two counts of murder for his alleged involvement in the two additional killings on November 24, 2023.

Joseivan Mendoza (10/05/05) is charged in case 24DWCF00194 with two counts of murder. 

It is further alleged that the special circumstance of multiple murders in violation of Penal Code section 190.2(a)(3) and the special circumstance of shooting from a motor vehicle causing death in violation of Penal Code section 190.2(a)(21) were committed.

Garcia, Mendoza and McKneely are scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 29 in Dept. J at the Norwalk Courthouse.

Deair Fleming Delerence (04/05/06) was charged earlier this week in case CM093A with four counts of murder, and two counts of attempted murder-willful, deliberate, and premeditated, for his involvement in the shootings that took place on February 11 and 12 with Garcia Jr. and McKneely.

Delerence denied the petition at arraignment on February 21 during a juvenile court hearing. His next court date is March 22 at the Compton Courthouse.

The People are requesting that Garcia, Mendoza and McKneely be held on no bail.

Delerence will remain detained pending his court hearings.

If convicted as charged, Garcia, Mendoza and McKneely will face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau.