Maron States, a 22-year-old man from Los Angeles, California, tragically lost his life on July 17, 2014. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 6 a.m., in the 8200 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, on the border of Van Nuys and Panorama City. States, along with 19-year-old Deshawn Miles, was involved in a brief confrontation with two men outside a 7-Eleven store. The altercation quickly escalated when the two men pulled out a gun and opened fire on States and Miles.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third individual, a man in his 50s, was also wounded in the shooting.
The investigation into the deaths of Maron States and Deshawn Miles identified Angel Santana, a 29-year-old Latino man, as a suspect. Santana was described as a one-eyed man, a distinctive feature that helped witnesses and law enforcement officials in identifying him. He was eventually arrested on August 4, 2014, in North Hills, California, after being located at a motel by gang officers. At the time of his arrest, Santana had two outstanding unrelated warrants.
The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the involvement of gang activity. The Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Homicide Unit led the investigation, with Detective Gretchen Schultz being a key figure in the case. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers.
The legal proceedings following Santana's arrest focused on his involvement in the double homicide. The confrontation that led to the shooting was believed to be gang-related, adding a layer of complexity to the case. Santana's arrest marked a significant development, but the investigation continued as law enforcement sought to piece together the events leading up to the tragic deaths of Maron States and Deshawn Miles.
