Three Alleged Gang Members Charged in Moose Lodge Slayings

By Lookout Staff

July 30 -- The District Attorneys office filed charges Friday against three Los Angeles gang members in connection with the gruesome slayings of two Santa Monicans gunned down at a party this Spring.

The three suspects wanted in the March 5 murders of Hector Bonilla and Jonathan Hernandez at the local Moose Lodge are 18th Street gang members from Los Angeles, according to police.

One of the suspects -- Jose Mojaro, a 21-year old Hispanic -- is in-custody, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

The other suspects are still at large, police said. They are identified as William Vasquez, a 25-year-old Hispanic known as “Crook,” and Ector Hugo Sanchez, a 20-year-old Hispanic known as “Enemy,” who also goes by the name Eric Nunez.

The DA’s office filed charges and issued felony arrest warrants Friday afternoon after Santa Monica police detectives presented a completed investigation, Fabrega said.

Each suspect was charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances (Life Without Parole/Death Penalty), gang enhancements, use of firearms during a gang crime and Assault with a Deadly Weapon, police said.

Hernandez, a 19-year-old resident of Ocean Park was shot 17 times -- twice to the head and numerous times to the shoulder, back and upper and lower body -- by gunmen who greeted him at the private birthday party in Sunset Park.

Bonilla, a 25-year-old resident of the Pico Neighborhood, was shot eight times, twice to the head, as he ran to Bonilla’s aid. (see related story)

Anyone having additional information should call the Robbery-Homicide Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8451.

Callers who wish to remain anonymous may also call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).