3 arrested after late-night shooting

DOWNEY - Downey police arrested three people in connection with an attempted murder following a shooting near Smallwood and Florence avenues last week.A police officer was in the area at about 10:50 p.m. on Feb.7 when he saw Joe Viesca, 20, of Downey, shoot at the victim's vehicle before running away. Officers found Viesca hiding in some nearby bushes, authorities said. Police discovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun with a high capacity 30 round magazine in the bushes where Viesca had been hiding. They also found numerous expended casings where the shooting took place. An additional two suspects - Angelica Gonzalez, 19, of San Bernardino, and Johnny Castillo, 21, of Bell Gardens - were detained after police saw them running from the area. They were arrested and transported to the police station for further investigation. The victim was not injured in the shooting. A motive is not known. Viesca was charged with attempted murder and transported to L.A. County Jail. Gonzales was charged with accessory and taken to Women's Central Jail, and Castillo was charged with obstructing a police officer and released on a citation.

********** Published: February 16, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 44