Police Tuesday identified two men facing murder and attempted charges in connection with a shooting at a homeless encampment near the Pasadena (110) Freeway in Montecito Heights that left one man dead and a second victim wounded last month.
The crime, which occurred about 5 a.m. Jan. 21 near Avenue 52 and Griffin Avenue, was gang-related and the victims were chosen at random, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Daniel Duarte, a 31-year-old transient, died at the scene. A 34-year-old man, whose name was not released, was hospitalized.
Andrew Palacios, 19, was arrested on Feb. 2, and the investigation led to the arrest of Jimmy Perez, 31, on March 15, according to the LAPD.
Palacios and Perez are charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder, along with gang and gun allegations, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
Palacios is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, while Perez’s bail is set at $5.1 million.
The two are due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Thursday, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to require them to stand trial.
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