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BOYLE HEIGHTS (CNS) - Crisis counselors were on hand at Roosevelt High School today following the shooting death of a student in the Boyle Heights area, and police were continuing to search for a possible second suspect in the slaying.
The teen boy, whose exact age and name have not been released, was shot about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at First and Savannah streets, near First Street Elementary School, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Rosario Cervantes said.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Another teenage boy was taken into custody in connection with the shooting, and police said they were searching for a second suspect.
``I don't know if they knew each other, I don't know if it was an argument but there was some sort of discussion before the shooting,'' LAPD Capt. German Hurtado said Tuesday.
Fox11 reported the suspect in custody was a 16-year-old boy.
Members of the slain boy's family went to the shooting scene Tuesday afternoon. A woman who said she was the boy's aunt told reporters she received a call at work informing her about the shooting.
``He was a student down the street as well,'' Laura Gelvin said.
Ben Gertner, principal of nearby Roosevelt High School, sent a message to parents Tuesday night informing them the victim was a student at the school, and saying crisis counselors would be available for students and staff on Wednesday, CBS2 reported.
``It is with deep sadness that I am calling to inform you of the death of one of our students,'' Gertner wrote, according to the station. ``Our sincere condolences go out to the student's family, friends and teachers. ``I want to reiterate that the safety of students and staff is my highest priority,'' Gertner wrote. ``Our thoughts rest with the victim and their family.''
The shooting was the second in which a juvenile victim was fatally injured near a Los Angeles school within 24 hours. At about 4:45 p.m. Monday, 12-year-old Alexander Alvarado was shot while sitting in an SUV at Denni Street and Blinn Avenue near Wilmington Park Elementary School.
Alvarado was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.
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