The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department turning to the public for help in locating three additional suspects in a fatal firebombing at Cheque Tires in South El Monte, Calif., that killed three teenagers last month.
According to local reports, sheriff’s officials released photos and video surveillance of four suspects in connection with the April 25 incident: German Monrreal, 19; Mario Godina, 19; Estavan Castillo, 20; and Roberto Fuentes, 19.
Fuentes, who is in custody, was arrested and charged with arson and murder soon after the incident, which took place about 5:30 a.m. at the tire dealership. The other three suspects remain at large. Police urged anyone with information to call 323-890-5500.
Detectives have said the four suspects threw Molotov cocktails at the tire shop after attending a gathering there. They fled in a 2002 Nissan Altima belonging to Fuentes’ mother, according to local reports.
Killed in the fire were Carlos Jimenez, 17; Rodrigo Gonzalez, 17; and Destiny Aguirre, 18.
Detectives do know the motive for the firebombing but are not disclosing it due to the ongoing investigation. None of the suspects are believed to have gang ties or significant criminal backgrounds, according to a report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Video surveillance released by the sheriff’s department shows the four suspects and a fifth unknown individual walking down the sidewalk of an unknown street. The fifth individual, who is wearing sunglasses, remains a person of interest, the newspaper article also stated.
