Authorities on Thursday, Aug. 28, identified the man suspected of fatally shooting a 13-year-old Costa Mesa boy in front of his mother at a Pico Rivera gas station and asked for the public’s help in finding the gunman.
The victim, Saith Mendez, didn’t engage with the suspect, 20-year-old Andres Adan Chavez, before the Aug. 23 shooting at the 76 gas station, according to Sheriff Robert Luna during a press conference Thursday held at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles. Detectives, city officials and the boy’s mother, Carla Mendez were in attendance.
From what they could find there was no confrontation, he added.
“We are here today for two reasons. First, to seek justice for Saith and his family. Second, to get this violent individual who committed this cowardly act off of our streets,” Luna said.
Luna believes Chavez has a prior conviction for a violent assault in Bakersfield.
“There are people that know this guy. They know where he’s at. They need to call us,” Luna said.
“I mean to murder an innocent 13-year-old in front of his mother the way he did. We need to, we as a community, this is completely unacceptable. We need to get this guy off the streets.”
Carla Mendez was working the night shift at the gas station on the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard on Saturday. Around 11:35 p.m., Saith Mendez got out of his mother’s car where he was waiting, and entered the gas station to speak with her, Luna said.
As the teen walked out, a tan 4-door car parked by one of the pumps. The driver stepped out, approached the service window and started talking to Carla Mendez, Luna said.
Chavez got out of the back seat and lingered around the area, the sheriff said.
Saith Mendez walked past Chavez.
“Unprovoked, and I repeat that unprovoked, suspect Chavez drew a firearm, took several steps toward Saith and shot him at close range,” Luna said. “After Saith collapsed to the ground, suspect Chavez drew a firearm and proceeded to stand over him and fire multiple rounds into Saith.”
Clara Mendez witnessed everything, Luna said.
Chavez then ran into nearby residential area. The driver and a female passenger remained at the scene. Both were detained, questioned and released for further investigation, Luna said.
Detectives had said the driver was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.
Saith Mendez died at the gas station from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner’s office.
He was a young man whose life was taken away way too soon, Luna said. The sheriff described the teen as someone who had a bright and promising future and an incredible young man.
Saith Mendez was one of five children. He had three adult siblings and a younger sister, Luna said.
“Saith enjoyed playing video games and playing basketball with friends in the neighborhood,” he said.
The teen’s death was the second shooting at a gas station in Pico Rivera.
On Aug. 21, a man shot Marc Sweet, 36, of South El Monte at the Shell station on the 9400 block of Washington Boulevard. There may have been a confrontation or argument between the two, according to detectives. Sweet died at a hospital.
But investigators don’t believe the two shootings are related.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of 13-year-old Saith in our city,” said Pico Rivera mayor John R. Garcia. “And only days before, another life was taken at another local gas station.”
While the incidents are unrelated, Garcia said both are deeply felt by every resident in Pico Rivera.
“To the families of these victims we extend our heartfelt condolences,” Garcia said. “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. No parent should ever have to bury a child.”
The safety of residents and business owners is the city’s highest priority, he said.
“The city council has directed the city manager to provide all necessary resources to assist the Sheriff’s Department in bringing those responsible to justice,” Garcia said.
At the beginning of the press conference, Luna said Carla Mendez won’t be speaking.
“We asked her to be here. She chose to be here,” he said. “I cannot tell you from just talking with her how difficult it is for her to be going through this as a mother who lost her child.”
Detectives asked anyone with information about Chavez’s whereabouts to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org.