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Boy, 17, Held For Murder Of Another 17-Year-Old In Panorama City

PANORAMA CITY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are holding a 17-year-old boy for the shooting death of another 17-year-old male in Panorama City.

Police said the fatal shooting occurred about 7 p.m. Friday in the 14000 block of Parthenia Street.

"Several neighbors called 911 reporting gunfire in the area," said Capt. Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of the Mission Area police station.

The deceased was identified as Eduardo Mendoza.

Police said witnesses heard shots and came out to help the teen. Officials said other witnesses followed the alleged shooter.

"One witness said he was so upset with the shooting in broad daylight that he decided to help police, which was something he generally wouldn't do," Chamberlain said.

The suspect fled to a nearby wash and was reportedly hiding under a blanket inside a drain conduit.

Police said they recovered a handgun underneath the suspect -- the teen had no criminal record or association with gangs.

The teen surrendered and was arrested without incident, police said. The suspect had recently left home over a dispute with his stepfather and had been sleeping in the wash.

Mendoza -- known for associations with a local gang and vandalism crew -- lived with his mother about two blocks away from the murder scene, police said. He was shot multiple times and died at a hospital.

The alleged shooter was booked on suspicion of murder and held without bail at a local juvenile facility.

Police asked anyone with information about the murder to contact Detective Gretchen Schultz, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9952.

 (©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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