On June 1, 2024, Ricardo Rios, 19, and his brother Sergio Rios, 33, were fatally shot while sitting in their parked car near their home in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. near the intersection of Budlong Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Sergio died at the scene, and Ricardo succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital.
Authorities arrested 33-year-old Marcos Navarro in connection with the shootings.
Navarro has been charged with two counts of murder, with an additional allegation of personally using a firearm during the commission of the crime. He is being held on $5 million bail and is scheduled for arraignment on July 3, 2024. If convicted, Navarro faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.
Investigators have stated that there appears to be no connection between Navarro and the Rios brothers, suggesting the attack may have been random. The motive remains unknown. Family members described the brothers as inseparable and mentioned they were out getting food for the family before the shooting. Sergio's wife, Mabel Lopez, expressed her grief, noting that Sergio was a devoted father to their 2-year-old twins and had many plans for their future.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Sergio's partner, Mabel, and their children, aiming to provide financial stability as they navigate life without him. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón extended his condolences to the family, emphasizing the urgency of preventing gun violence and ensuring that firearms do not end up in the wrong hands.
