13-Year-Old Arrested for Murder of 8-Year-Old

A week ago tonight, 8-year-old Jasmine Sanders was shot in the chest as she sat a staircase in the courtyard of her apartment complex where neighbors were gathering. According to the LAPD, the suspects were two black males seen running away down the alley, the same route by they approached the complex, which was at 249 East 76th Street in South LA.

"In cases like this one, detectives can only hope for assistance from the media and the community to help solve crimes, and that’s what happened in this case," explained a statement from police. "People were willing to become involved and it led to an arrest."

And that arrest was of 13-year old gang associate who happened to be a cousin of the victim. "The crime appeared to be a gang-motivated retaliation stemming from an assault earlier on the day of the murder," police said. The second suspect is still at large and police, who used the "numerous tips from a caring community" with the help of "extensive media coverage," are still asking for the public's help with him.

And with that, they say: "Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Division, Detectives Mike Oppelt or Al Aldaz, at (213) 485-2531, or 1-877- LAWFULL."

Photo by CarbonNYC via Flickr