A man is currently in custody on Tuesday in relation to a shooting that may have been gang-related. The shooting resulted in the death of two men, both of whom were located within close proximity to each other in Carson.
According to the Daily Breeze, Lt. Steven De Jong of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office reported that 22-year-old Raymond Maose has been taken into custody in relation to the shooting incident. The incident took place on Saturday at approximately 11:35 p.m. in the 100 block of West 234th Street.
The reported arrest has not been immediately confirmed by the sheriff’s department.
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The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner confirmed on Tuesday the identity of the second man who died in the shooting incident.
The second victim has been identified as 18-year-old Va’afatu Mativa from Gardena. According to his father, Mativa had recently undergone a kidney transplant. The first victim was previously identified as 44-year-old Richard Mata from Carson.
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According to De Jong, investigators believe that Mata, who was sitting in his vehicle, fired shots that hit Mativa, who was standing nearby. In response, Maose fired back and struck Mata. Mata’s vehicle then rolled forward and eventually stopped after hitting a parked car in the 100 block of East 234th Street, as reported by the Daily Breeze.
Investigators believe that the shooting was gang-related, although the exact cause of the gunfire remains unclear.
Both Mativa and Mata lost their lives at the scene.
Richard Mata, who was described by his family as a loving son, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend, left behind a beautiful legacy in the form of his three children. A GoFundMe page has been set up by his family to raise funds for his funeral expenses.
If you have any information regarding the shootings, please reach out to the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. You can also provide anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
