Ethan Esparza (KCAL)
POMONA, Calif. (CBS/AP) After more than three years, the family of Ethan Esparza, the 3-year-old who was gunned down in front of his grandmother's home at his own birthday party, can rest a little easier knowing that police have finally made an arrest in the seemingly random tragedy.
Ethan was playing in front of his grandmother's house in Pomona, Calif., about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, on the day before his fourth birthday, when five or six shots rang out, killing little Ethan and wounding a 16-year-old boy.
Police at the time believed it was gang-related and that two other men standing nearby were the intended targets.
Police finally made an arrest Wednesday, taking Pablo Adame into custody just moments after he was released from prison on an unrelated domestic violence case.
"He didn't deserve to die the way he did," Ethan's mother, Alma Torres Esparza told CBS affiliate KCAL at the time of the shooting. "He suffered before he left. He was fighting for his life."
A month after the shooting a $50,000 reward was offered under the Governor's Reward program.
Adame, who is being held on $4 million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned June 29.
Sorry to hear what happened to the people you know. But the same thing that is happening in Mexico is happening out here. The difference is that in Mexico they are called Cartels and are fighting to control the drug industry. And in California they are called gangs. And they fight for drug turf and streets that they don't even own.
Good luck on trip Wavster. Can't wait to read about your trip when you get back.