Three men have been charged with murder following the ambush-style killing of up-and-coming Latin musician Maria De La Rosa, known professionally as Delarosa, in Los Angeles, according to a music-news.com report.
The 20-year-old artiste was fatally shot inside a parked car in Northridge on Saturday morning when, according to authorities, the suspects approached the vehicle, demanded money, and opened fire. Two other occupants of the car sustained critical injuries.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Francisco Otilio Gaytan, 27; Benny LiconGomez, 27; and Eduardo Lopez, 21, were formally charged on Wednesday with one felony count of murder and two felony counts of attempted second-degree robbery.
Prosecutor Nathan Hochman labelled the killing a “ruthless and targeted attack.”
“This was a ruthless and targeted attack that stole the life of a young woman and artist and inflicted profound lifelong trauma on her family and the two survivors,” District Attorney Hochman said in a statement. “My Office will pursue this case aggressively to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable for this senseless and deadly violence.”
The three suspects are alleged to have shot the victims during a robbery shortly after 1.25am. De La Rosa succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after being rushed to the hospital.
Lopez remains a fugitive, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The incident is reportedly being investigated as potentially gang-related.
Delarosa, who released her debut song, No me llames (Don’t Call Me), in August, was a rising talent in the Latin music scene. Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and industry figures this week.
Music producer Jimmy Humilde and Juan Moises, the lead singer of Los Gemelos de Sinaloa, were among those who posted messages mourning the loss of the young performer.
