LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Murder charges have been brought against a 33-year-old man accused of fatally shooting two brothers in the Exposition Park area. Marcos Navarro, 33, is facing two counts of murder in connection with the June 1 killings of Sergio Rios, 33, and Ricardo Rios, 19, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Allegations also include Navarro’s personal use of a firearm during the crime.
The tragic incident occurred around 2 p.m. near the intersection of Budlong Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The victims, who were in their parked car, were shot multiple times by the suspect outside their residence. Sergio died at the scene, while Ricardo succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital.
Family members expressed profound grief, highlighting the close bond between the brothers who were on a simple errand to get food for their loved ones before the shooting occurred. During a press conference attended by the victims’ family, authorities mentioned that there appears to be no prior connection between Navarro and the brothers.
“This individual has devastated our future… We have two-year-old twins, and he had plans to raise them,” stated Mabel Lopez, Sergio’s wife, as she stood alongside the grieving family. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, with investigators indicating it was a seemingly random attack.
District Attorney George Gascón extended condolences to the brothers’ family and emphasized the need to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Navarro is currently in custody with a $5 million bail set, and his arraignment is scheduled for July 3. If convicted, he could face a life sentence in state prison.
In a gesture of support, a GoFundMe page has been established to aid the victims’ family in the aftermath of this senseless tragedy. The community mourns the loss of two lives and grapples with the devastating impact of gun violence on families. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to address such tragedies and prevent further harm from affecting innocent lives.