LOS ANGELES (KGTV) -- Two alleged gang members were charged Tuesday with the murder of a 19-year-old Marine from Camp Pendleton who was found shot inside his vehicle in South Los Angeles nearly two months ago.
Oscar Aguilar, 26, and Esau Rios, 28, are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in connection with the Sept. 16 shooting of Lance Cpl. Carlos Segovia-Lopez.
A third man, Ricky Valente, 18, is charged with being an accessory after the fact with knowledge of the crime, and could face up to seven years in state prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office. He was also arrested last Thursday.
Segovia-Lopez was found shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sept. 16 covered in blood and slumped over the steering wheel of a Dodge Charger in the 2100 block of 31st Street, according to Los Angeles police and witnesses.
Segovia-Lopez was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County but was home visiting family and friends, and also continuing the work he did with a local program to assist the homeless.
The criminal complaint alleges that Aguilar personally and intentionally discharged a handgun, and that the killing was committed in association with or for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Aguilar -- who allegedly has a string of prior convictions -- is additionally charged with one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon and dissuading a witness by force or threat.
Police said the Segovia-Lopez was driving when an assailant shot him, causing him to lose control of the car and crash into a parked vehicle. LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham said Segovia-Lopez was on his cellphone when he was shot.
"It is very possible that he might have seen some suspicious activity or even a crime in progress, and it appears to us that something happened in that instant where he was killed," Whittingham said.
Aguilar could face up to 167 years to life in state prison if convicted, while Rios could face up to 50 years to life behind bars, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
