Magic Mountain Slaying Called Gang-Related

VALENCIA — Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said Friday a fatal shooting at Six Flags Magic Mountain earlier this week was gang-related, but that the three victims were unintended targets and not gang members.

Just before the shooting that left 15-year-old Daniel Vega dead and two others wounded, a melee between members of an African American gang and a group of Latino students started just outside the theme park’s entrance gates, deputies said. One of the students and a gang member began arguing and came to blows, according to homicide Det. Joe Holmes.

Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Sciacca said, “They appeared to be gang members based on appearance and several witnesses saw the men flashing possible gang signs.”

About 15 minutes later, as hundreds poured out the gates and into the parking lot when the park closed, a gunman fired into the crowd, killing Vega and hitting his 14-year-old cousin in a foot and Grace Arredondo, 37, of Los Angeles in the hand, authorities said.

None of the victims was a gang members deputies said.

“They were not actually shooting at the victims,” Holmes said. “This [gunman] is just a guy who hasn’t had enough classes in shooting to hit what he’s shooting at.”

Added Sciacca: “This was not a drive-by.”

The gunman and several companions fled in two cars, a 1995 gray Ford Taurus and a Buick Regal, deputies said.

Holmes said the setting of the attack, in the middle of a crowded parking lot, has complicated the investigation. As of Friday, detectives had not recovered any shell casings or bullets, Holmes said.

There were, however, many witnesses, including a guard who looked on from a watchtower directly above the action, according to a park spokeswoman.

No arrests had been made by Friday, Holmes said.