Sergio Rios, Jr., a 33-year-old Hispanic/Latino male, was a devoted father to his twin toddlers, Eliana and Alex, and a loving partner to Mabel Lopez. Remembered by family as a light in every room and a man anyone could rely on, he was deeply family-oriented. He shared a close bond with his younger brother, 19-year-old Ricardo Rios, who was described as a sweet young man with many dreams and aspirations.
Friends said the brothers, both graphic designers and skateboarders, were inseparable and beloved natives of Los Angeles who left a lasting impression on many people.
On the afternoon of June 1, 2024, the two brothers were sitting together in a parked car outside their home in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles. At around 2 p.m., in the 1100 block of Browning Boulevard, a man approached their vehicle. According to authorities, the man engaged the brothers in a brief conversation before he opened fire with a 9mm handgun, striking them both. Sergio was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ricardo was rushed to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The Los Angeles Police Department launched a homicide investigation and, within a week, arrested a suspect in the killings. The man was identified as 33-year-old Marcos Navarro. While investigators determined that a conversation took place before the shooting, the motive for the attack remains unclear.
On June 10, 2024, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that Marcos Navarro had been charged with two counts of murder. The charges also included an enhancement for the personal use of a firearm. Navarro’s bail was set at $5 million. He made his first court appearance on July 3, 2024, attended by nearly 50 of the Rios brothers' friends and family members. Navarro did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was rescheduled for August 30, 2024. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The case was pending his arraignment as of July 2024.
In the wake of the tragedy, a fundraiser was established to provide financial support for Sergio's partner and their two young children, raising more than $75,000. Family members described the loss as a nightmare, mourning two cherished men who were taken by what they called senseless gun violence.
