Los Angeles, California – A 33-year-old man, Marcos Navarro, was charged with two counts of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of brothers, Sergio and Ricardo Rios, near Exposition Park earlier this month. The announcement was made by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón during a press conference on Monday.
Details on the motive behind the attack were not disclosed by Gascón. According to the District Attorney, the brothers had a brief interaction with Navarro outside their home before he allegedly armed himself with a 9mm automatic gun and opened fire on them.
During the press conference, Ivan Robles, a cousin of the victims, criticized what he referred to as a broken system that puts innocent lives in danger. He emphasized that the issue at hand was not specific to certain demographics or gangs but highlighted a larger problem related to guns and mental health across the nation.
Robles shared fond memories of his cousins, describing Sergio as a father of two who brought joy wherever he went and Ricardo as a young man with a promising future ahead of him.
Navarro is being held on a $5 million bail and could face life imprisonment if convicted. His arraignment is scheduled for the following month. The older brother, Sergio, passed away at the scene of the shooting, while Ricardo succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
This devastating incident not only serves as a reminder of the impact of gun violence but also sheds light on the need for government action to protect innocent lives. The community mourns the loss of the Rios brothers and seeks justice for their tragic deaths.