Evidence not Enough to Charge Suspect in Pico Shooting

By Jorge Casuso

Sept. 9 -- The District Attorney's office has found that there is not enough evidence to file charges against a suspect arrested by police in connection with the fatal shooting last week of a 19-year-old Pico Neighborhood resident.

The suspect, Arthur Able Archuletta, 21, is still being held for a parole violation while police continue to examine evidence in the year's first homicide, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

"We need to wait for evidence to come back from the crime lab, and we're waiting for that," Fabrega said. "Once we gather all the information, we can refile the case and rearrest the suspect."

A parole hearing for Archuletta has yet to be scheduled and no bail has been set, Fabrega said.

Archuletta, a Santa Monica resident, was arrested Friday in connection with the killing of Jalonnie D. Carter, who was shot in the back in the alley on the 1800 block of 20th street last Tuesday evening.

Police said they are searching for additional suspects and have not determined if the shooting was gang related. Carter was black and Archuletta is Latino.

The Pico Neighborhood has been the scene of numerous shootings during recent years, some of them involving local black and Latino gangs.

Carter's shooting occurred in the same area where five shootings took place earlier this year. No one was injured in the shootings, which occurred between May 9 and June 5. Police arrested eight suspects for charges ranging from parole violations to attempted murder.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Robbery/Homicide Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8451 or the Watch Commander’s Office at 310.458.8426.

The Pico Youth and Family Center has set up a fund to help Carter's family with the funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to The Jalonnie Carter Fund, 828 Pico Boulevard # 9, Santa Monica, CA 90405.