[symple_googlemap title=”Burbank park shooting” location=”2701 Thornton Ave, Burbank, CA” height=”300″ zoom=”16″]
A 19-year-old man and 22-year-old woman were behind bars Saturday accused of shooting a 21-year-old man in a gang-related attack at a Burbank park, police said.
The shooting in Lundigan Park at 2701 Thornton Ave. was reported at 5:55 p.m. Thursday, according to Losacco. The victim suffered non-life-threatening wounds to his lower body.
“Firefighters in adjacent Fire Station 13 heard the sound of shots fired and immediately reported it to the police department,” Losacco said. “Firefighters and paramedics located one victim on Naomi Street, near the park.”
The victim was treated and taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery, Losacco said. He was listed in good condition.
Based on witness statements and evidence recovered at the scene, Burbank Police detectives began surveilling a vehicle that fit the description of the suspected shooter’s car.
The owner was spotted by police driving to a woman’s home in the 200 block of South Keystone Street in Burbank on Friday, according to Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco. The primary suspect and the woman then left the home, got into a different car and drove away.
About 11 a.m. Friday, detectives stopped that car and detained the man and the woman who were identified as Erik Manooki, a reputed gang member from Sunland and Candice Richardson, of Burbank, Losacco said.
Manooki is accused of being the shooter in the park attack on the 21- year-old man. Investigators believe the attack came as retaliation for an earlier gang-related shooting.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for a Lexus which was believed to be the getaway car after the park shooting, and a car that Manooki was seen driving early on Friday, according to Losacco.
Investigators found a revolver inside the car with empty casings still inside the cylinder. It is believed this was the gun used in the Lundigan Park shooting Thursday night, according to Losacco.
Manooki and Richardson were subsequently arrested and booked on suspicion of attempted murder with a special circumstance allegation that the attack was committed for the benefit of a street gang, Losacco continued.
Manooki was being held in lieu of $2.066 million bail and Richardson was held in lieu of $2,040,571 bail, Losacco said.
These bail totals include outstanding warrant bail amounts each had at the time of their arrests. Manooki and Richardson are scheduled to appear in court in Burbank on Tuesday for their arraignment.
A third person who allegedly was in the getaway car was subsequently identified and interviewed by detectives but has not been arrested, according to Losacco.
Anyone who witnessed or heard the shooting was urged to call Burbank Police Detective Mike Edwards at (818) 238-3210. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. All tips can be made anonymously.
—City News Service