According to the Santa Monica Police Department, three men and one male juvenile have been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and promoting a criminal street gang in the November 3, 2009 shooting death of a 20 year old Santa Monica man. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office said that the victim’s name was Richard Manuel Juarez.

Police reports indicate that SMPD Sergeant Mike Frederico was driving in the vicinity of the 2100 block of Pico Boulevard when he heard gun shots. He next observed two suspects fleeing Virginia Park on foot in the direction of a parked vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by two males. Frederico detained the two occupants of the vehicle and radioed for back-up.

A perimeter was established to search for the two suspects running away from the park. The SMPD K9 team found one of the suspects hiding under a van. The other one was found hiding in the back yard of a vacant home near 22nd street. Santa Monica SWAT team assisted in the apprehension of the two suspects.

All four suspects were taken into custody and booked in Santa Monica.

Juarez and three others were walking in the park when they were allegedly approached by two of the suspects who began shooting. The three persons accompanying Juarez escaped injury. Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics were called, but were unable to revive Juarez who died at the scene.

Police continue to investigate and are uncertain if this incident was related to a shooting that occurred earlier that day in Venice.

The four suspects were identified as Patrick Dwight Birdsong Jr., an 18 year old black male from Los Angeles; Norman Lovan Cole, 33, also a black male from Los Angeles; Sean Alex Mermer, a white male from Lancaster and an unnamed juvenile. Cole and Mermer were also charged with a violation of parole.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427 (24 hours). If you have information, but wish to remain anonymous, you may call We Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-782-7463).