Three men have been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Maria De La Rosa, an aspiring Latin singer, in Northridge, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The ambush-style shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday near Bryant Street and Tampa Avenue. Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly approached a parked car, demanded money from the three people inside, and then opened fire. All three individuals in the vehicle were wounded.
“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,” L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “My Office will pursue this case aggressively to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable for this senseless and deadly violence.”
De La Rosa, known professionally as DELAROSA, was fatally shot while seated in the passenger seat. The other two victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
The suspects, all from Northridge, include Francisco Otilio Gaytan, 27; Benny LiconGomez, 27; and Eduardo Lopez, 21. They have been charged with murder and two counts of attempted second-degree robbery. Gaytan was arrested Saturday and is being held on $2.18 million bail, while LiconGomez was arrested Sunday and held on $2.28 million bail. Lopez remains at large.
Arraignment hearings for Gaytan and LiconGomez were initially scheduled for Wednesday at the San Fernando Courthouse but have been postponed until January 7.
The victim’s mother, Deyanira De La Rosa, told Eyewitness News that she is seeking answers about her daughter’s death. “She was so young… They stole her life,” she said. The family described Maria as not only a kind and beautiful person but also a rising musical talent whose potential was tragically cut short.
