Cook in Fatal Shoot-Out at Taco Stand Released
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A cook arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with a Monday night shoot-out at a Compton taco stand that left two men dead and another one wounded has been released, and authorities said the wounded man will be arrested instead.
Compton Police Lt. Percy Perrodin said Thursday that no charges would be filed against Jose Flores, 25, of Los Angeles, because it was determined that he fatally wounded Ronald Earl Lewis, 17, of Long Beach, in self-defense during the gunfire at Tacos El Sinaloaense No. 2.
Clarence Howard, 28, of Lynwood, who was wounded, will be arrested on suspicion of murder once he recovers, Perrodin said.
Police said Lewis and Howard were among 13 suspected gang members who allegedly shot and killed the taco stand’s security guard, Mauricio Belarmino Arias, 28, after a dispute over slow service. When some in the group returned to apparently threaten those inside the restaurant, Flores grabbed a gun and fired, killing Lewis and wounding Howard.
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