Police arrest 1 in Los Angeles family shooting

Friday, October 26, 2012

photo Police investigators talk to people across the street from a family-owned business, United States Fire Protection Services, in Downey, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. Five people were shot and at least two died in shootings at the business and a residence in a Los Angeles suburb Wednesday, according to Downey police Lt. Dean Milligan.

DOWNEY, Calif. - Police said Friday they arrested a man who matched the description of a gunman who killed three people and injured two others in suburban Downey.

Police Sgt. Maria Villegas confirmed the arrest after the man had been detained and questioned. The man's name and age were not immediately released.

Authorities brought the man in after a black Camaro that was stolen was found following Wednesday's shooting at a family owned fire extinguisher business and a relative's nearby home.

Police haven't given a motive but they said they don't believe the killings were a random act of violence.

The three people killed were Josimar Rojas, 26, Irene Cardenas, 35, and Susana Perez-Ruelas, 34.

Rojas and Cardenas were killed at the business, United States Fire Protection Services Inc., where another woman was wounded, the Los Angeles Times reported. She remains in stable condition.

The gunman then went to the home of the business owner a few blocks away and killed Perez-Ruelas and wounded her 13-year-old son.

A portrait emerged of a tight-knit family who threw large parties and ran a successful company.

Prayer candles and flowers were left at the home and nearby business where the shootings took place. A sign decorated with pink hearts and flowers was left outside the house, reading "RIP Susana, to a great mother."

There was no sign of forced entry at the business or home, and police believe the suspect spoke with the victims at both locations before the shooting began.