LOCAL : Pacoima Man Expected to Face Murder Charge in Student Death

Charges against an alleged Pacoima gang member accused of shooting a UCLA premed student in an unprovoked attack this month will likely be increased to murder following the student’s death Friday, Los Angeles police said this morning.

Ricardo Olivares, 18, of San Fernando, was shot early in the morning of May 19 after he was confronted by two assailants at a Pacoima convenience store.

Two days after the shooting, police arrested Albert Muro, 24, of Mission Hills after receiving anonymous tips and gathering undisclosed evidence. Muro, who police described as a known gang member, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.

Lt. Bernard D. Conine said that investigators will likely ask the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office to now charge Muro with murder.

The second suspect in the slaying is being sought and detectives declined to say whether his identity is known.

Olivares was shot after he stopped with several friends at 12:45 a.m. at a store at Laurel Canyon and Brand boulevards. Olivares walked to a nearby pay phone to make a call when he was confronted by the two men and shot several times, including once in the back of the head.

Ricardo, who planned to become a pediatrician after completing studies, was treated at UCLA Medical Center where he died late Friday night.