WHITTIER – An alleged gang member was charged on Wednesday with the fatal shooting of a Whittier teenager, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
Deputy District Attorney Brock Lunsford of the Hardcore Gang Division said Eudiel Eddie Lopez, 19 is charged with one count of murder with gang and gun-use allegations.
Lopez was arraigned in Department 1 of Whittier Superior Court. Bail is recommended at $2 million.
The defendant is charged with the murder of Michael Soto, 17, on March 26 in the parking lot of a Whittier strip mall. Lopez is alleged to be a member of the criminal street gang Whittier 13.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of 50 years to life. The original arrest was made by members of the Norwalk Sheriff’s Department.
–Randy Economy
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Yet again the justice system failed. This gang member should have
never been released from jail when he was arrested and released on March 18th.
Look at what he has done, he has taken a life, a son, a brother, a nephew
and grandson from his family. Michael Soto did not deserve this, to be
killed in that manor beaten then shot what kind of monster does that?
Someone with no respect for life. I pray that this time he will not released
and will not kill someone else, I pray that the judge will give him what he
deserves! To stay in jail where he belongs not out in the streets to cause more harm to others, and more pain.