Capturing a killer | Gang member caught Prosecutors charged a 25-year-old parolee today (January 20, 2009) with murder in the slaying of a 4-year-old boy.
Howard Astorga faces a maximum of 53 years to life in state prison if convicted of all charges and special allegations that he used a gun and the killing was to promote a street gang. Astorga has three prior convictions.
Astorga is accused of firing shots at suspected gang rivals in a red car; one of the bullets fatally struck Roberto Lopez Jr. as he walked with his sister to a local community center.
Astorga, who is due to appear in court this afternoon, is being held in lieu of $2-million bail.