Details Revealed About Suspects Arrested For USC Grad Student Murders
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Students at the University of Southern California expressed relief this weekend when it was revealed that police had made two arrests in the murders of two Chinese graduate students.
Ming Qu and Ying Wu, both 23, were fatally shot about 1 a.m. on April 11, during a downpour while sitting in Qu's BMW, which was double-parked in the 2700 block of Raymond Avenue. Police believe the motive was robbery.
"It's showing them that they're working hard to create justice for the victims so I think it's good and I think it's a step in the right direction," said USC grad student Joanne Kelly.
The LAPD allegedly tracked a cellphone taken from the scene to 20-year-old Bryan Barnes. Police arrested him at a home on 91st Street on Friday during what neighbors describe as an eight-hour raid.
"Then they just started going in with machine guns and all kind of stuff and people started running out, they started chasing people, handcuffing people," said George Curel, a witness.
Police made a second arrest in the case -- 19-year-old Javier Bolden of Palmdale.
The Los Angeles Times quotes sources as saying Bolden was a suspected accomplice while Barnes was the alleged shooter.
"Forensic evidence that was recovered at the scene of the double homicide linked that homicide to two attempt murders in the city of Los Angeles. Both Bolden and Barnes were connected to those other two attempt homicides," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck on Friday.
USC President C. L. Max Nikias has expressed gratitude for the arrests but the families of the victims are suing the university, alleging the school misrepresented security at the campus to make itself attractive to foreign students.
Both Barnes and Bolden are expected to be arraigned Tuesday. They are being held without bail, KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.
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KNX 1070's Ed Mertz Reports
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