Teen’s Mother Pleads for Help in Finding Killer

NORTHRIDGE —  The heartbroken mother of a 15-year-old Panorama City boy killed in a drive-by shooting following a high school football game asked for the public’s help Friday in finding her son’s killer, a youth that police describe as a local gang member.

Rhonda Owens said her 4-year-old daughter Teaira asks every day about her brother Ricky Evans, a Monroe High School freshman who was shot to death as he walked home with friends after a playoff game between Monroe and Crenshaw high schools Nov. 21.

Teaira asks, “When is Ricky coming home?” Owens said, her voice breaking. “I don’t know what to tell her, I just tell her her brother is in heaven.”

Los Angeles police are looking for Tony Burnette Shaw, 15, described by authorities as a member of a Pacoima gang, who police say shot Evans.

The fatal shots were fired from a white older-model Cadillac at a group that included Evans after someone in the car issued the traditional gang challenge: “Where are you from?”

Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Shaw, alleging one count of murder, LAPD Det. Mike Oppelt said.

There were three other teenagers in the car, but authorities say they have been interviewed and released. Charges will not be filed against them, Oppelt said. He declined to reveal the reason.

Evans and about seven other Monroe High students were walking north on Aqueduct Avenue about 9:30 p.m. when the shooting occurred, police say. The street was dark and the students noticed the Cadillac pull up slowly behind them, police said. To the question “Where are you from,” one or two in the group shouted back “nowhere,” Oppelt said, adding “nine out of 10 times” gang members would pass without incident if they got such a reply.

“But he chose to shoot,” Oppelt said.

Evans was hit twice in the chest and died at the scene. The Cadillac, which had a headlight out, sped north on Aqueduct Avenue.

Police said the area is not considered gang turf and that none of the teens walking with the victim were gang members.

Evans knew his killer but it is not clear whether he was targeted, Oppelt said. Evans was the only one in the group who was hit by gunfire.

“We’re very surprised no one else was shot,” Oppelt said.

Police released Shaw’s name and photo during a press conference Friday outside the LAPD’s Devonshire Police Station, a highly unusual action because Shaw is a minor. But because Shaw has evaded police at least once and is considered to be armed and dangerous and a “threat to society,” Oppelt said, police made an exception.

Shaw is black, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs about 155 pounds. He goes by the gang name of “Tone” or “Tone Bone,” police said. He was seen in Pacoima as recently as Tuesday night when he evaded police during a short car and foot chase, authorities said.

Police have asked that anyone with knowledge of Shaw’s whereabouts call detectives at the Devonshire station at (818) 756-8291.