16-year-old arrested in Los Banos homicide
A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the Dec. 7 shooting death of another teenage gang member in Los Banos.
The boy was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder and gang charges, Los Banos police Cmdr. Jason Hedden said.
Raymond Sevilla, 17, of South Dos Palos was killed at Dos Amigos Park in the 2200 block of San Luis Street. Sevilla was shot in the upper body and collapsed at San Luis Street and Ward Road, about half a block from the park.
“Our detectives have struggled to find cooperative witnesses throughout this investigation, but that has not deterred their efforts. ... I hope this arrest brings the family and community some closure and allows the healing process to begin,” Police Chief Gary Brizzee said in a news release.
Hedden said investigators did not announce the arrest to the public for two days to allow detectives additional time to interview others with possible connections to the case. Hedden on Friday said police have not ruled out the possibility of making additional arrests.
Police said they have yet to recover any weapons from the killing.
Sevilla’s death marked the first homicide of 2014 in Los Banos.
To leave an anonymous crime tip, call (209) 827-7070, Ext. 288. You can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link. Or, contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers at (855) 725-2420 or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 5:27 PM with the headline "16-year-old arrested in Los Banos homicide."