Suspect in Double Homicide Due Back in Court After 18-month Manhunt

By Lookout Staff

October 21 -- A Los Angeles gang member wanted for the double murder of two Santa Monica residents earlier this year is due back in court next week on multiple murder charges after his capture by police a week ago.

The 18-month hunt for William Vasquez, 25, ended with his arrest October 13 at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Westlake Street, according to members of a Los Angeles Police Department-FBI task force.

Investigators had been searching for Vasquez -- a member of the 18th Street gang who was known on the street as ``Crook'' -- since the 2002 shooting death of a 22-year-old Los Angeles man attending a party in the Jefferson Park area of Los Angeles.

Vasquez is also one of three men charged in the gruesome double murder of Hector Bonilla and Jonathan Hernandez at a private birthday party at the Moose Lodge in Sunset Park on March 5. (see related story)

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in July filed felony charges and issued arrest warrants for Vasquez, Jose Mojarro, 21, and Ector Hugo Sanchez, 20, in connection with the double homicide. Sanchez remains at large. (see related story)

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 party.

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.

``Anytime you have a man like this that puts guns to people's heads, that kills, maims and destroys people's lives, that's what we're all about,'' Herb Brown, an FBI special agent, said at a press conference in Los Angeles Thursday.

``This was a win for all of us. We will continue to be in the fight. We will continue to be in the forefront of making sure thugs like William Vasquez are taken off the street.''

Detectives are still investigating whether Vasquez may have been involved with other killings.

Vasquez -- who was arraigned earlier this week and pleaded innocent to the charges -- is due back in court Wednesday in connection with the Santa Monica slayings and Thursday for the Jefferson Park murder.

Vasquez had managed to become ``very elusive” and was probably protected by fellow gang members, said LAPD Capt. James Craig.

“There's a speculation that (gang members) are protected by other gang members,” Craig said. “There's just a whole host of reasons why it's difficult.''

``All gang members involved in a crime of murder are considered dangerous,'' Craig said.

A photo of Vasquez, who remains in jail without bail, has not been released because it could jeopardize the investigation, police said.

Anyone with information about the Moose Lodge murders should call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8426.

News wires contributed to this report