WHITTIER – An alleged gang member was charged on Wednesday with the fatal shooting of a Whittier teenager, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
Deputy District Attorney Brock Lunsford of the Hardcore Gang Division said Eudiel Eddie Lopez, 19 is charged with one count of murder with gang and gun-use allegations.
Lopez was arraigned in Department 1 of Whittier Superior Court. Bail is recommended at $2 million.
The defendant is charged with the murder of Michael Soto, 17, on March 26 in the parking lot of a Whittier strip mall. Lopez is alleged to be a member of the criminal street gang Whittier 13.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of 50 years to life. The original arrest was made by members of the Norwalk Sheriff’s Department.
–Randy Economy
Randy@CerritosNews.net
