Canoga Park Men Charged With Hate Killing
Staff writer for the Daily News website reported on January 15, 2009 that two men affiliated with the Latino street gang, Canoga Park Alabama, are being charged with last month’s murder of an African American father of two. Martin Sotelo, 23 and Richard Bordelon, 21, each of Conoga Park, have been charged with the murder of James Shamp, 48 who was shot outside his work place on December 22 in this Los Angeles violent crime. Police say the attack was racially motivated, potentially making Bordelon and Sotelo eligible for the death penalty.
According to police reports, Shamp, who had been an employee at Canoga Park bowl for 7 years, was emptying the trash in the back ally when he was shot in this violent crime. A car with several people in it rolled up and opened fire on Shamp.
Detetective Dave Peteque said, “It was 100 percent racially motivated. I can’t say anything, but it’ll come out in court.”
Valley Deputy Chief Michel Moore added, “Mr. Shamp was not the victim of a robbery. It was a pure hate crime.”
History shows that the Alabama gang has a record of racially motivated crimes towards blacks. Crime statistics show that since July 2006, more than a dozen shootings have occurred targeting blacks.
Jeff Warren, 46, who described himself as Shamp’s best friend said, “I never heard of the gang in my life. It’s ridiculous.”
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