Fatal shooting occurs at Rick's Motel over weekend

DOWNEY - Two individuals have been left dead after a shooting occurred at a motel over the weekend.

Police have identified Raymond Joseph Penland, 29, as the suspect in two homicides that occurred at Rick’s Motel, located at 9415 Firestone Blvd.where police responded to reports of shots fired at around 11:28 a.m. on Saturday, June 30. The two victims – who have yet to be identified by authorities – were found down in the parking lot and were pronounced dead on the scene.

Authorities say that Penland and the victims were engaged in some sort of altercation before the shootings occurred, and that this did not seem like a random act. Penland fled the scene and was later located in Santa Fe Springs, where he had barricaded himself in a warehouse within the 13700 block of Bora Drive.

Downey Police Department, Whittier Police Department, and Los Angeles Sheriff’s SWAT were able to take Penland into custody with no further injuries reported shortly before 9 p.m. after a long standoff.

The investigation is still ongoing. Police have also spoken to two peoples of interest – 25-year-old Catarina Frances Barajas and 32-year-old Vanessa Teresa Cardenas. Both women have since been released.

Anyone with information relating to this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Richard Garcia at (562) 904-2330.