LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities have apprehended a 20-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy in broad daylight outside a gas station in Pico Rivera, an incident that has rattled the local community and left the victim’s family devastated. Andres Adan Chavez was arrested Thursday evening following a traffic stop, nearly a week after the fatal encounter.
Deputies took Chavez into custody around 5:50 p.m. after stopping his vehicle on Whittier Boulevard, not far from where the boy was killed. Officials said Chavez faces a murder charge and is being held at the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station on $2 million bail.
The shooting occurred late Saturday night, when deputies were called to a gas station in the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard. Upon arrival, they discovered 13-year-old Saith Mendez with fatal gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, Mendez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Mendez was waiting in his mother’s car while she worked an overnight shift as a gas station attendant. The boy reportedly entered the station briefly to speak with his mother before heading back outside. Moments later, a tan four-door vehicle pulled up to a nearby pump.
Authorities allege that while the driver and a female passenger remained by the car, Chavez exited the rear passenger seat and lingered near the premises. Surveillance footage and witness accounts suggest there was no interaction or conflict between Chavez and Mendez prior to the shooting, according to the sheriff’s department.
As Mendez walked past Chavez, authorities say the suspect unexpectedly drew a firearm, approached the 13-year-old, and shot him at close range. Officials indicate Chavez then fired additional shots as the boy lay on the ground before fleeing into a nearby neighborhood.
The driver and the female passenger remained at the scene and cooperated with police. They were questioned by investigators and later released.
Sheriff Robert Luna called the slaying an “unacceptable act of violence” during a news briefing and emphasized the need for justice for the young victim and his family. He praised the teamwork of law enforcement that led to Chavez’s swift arrest, noting the importance of removing dangerous individuals from the streets.
No motive for the shooting has been released, and authorities have described the attack as completely unprovoked. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and have not ruled out additional charges or arrests as the case develops.
Community members have expressed shock and grief over the loss of Mendez, who was set to begin a new school year. Friends, neighbors, and classmates have left memorial items near the gas station to honor his memory.
Chavez is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in the coming days. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives urging anyone with information to come forward.