2 alleged gang members charged with murder of 9-year-old Anaheim girl

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Two alleged gang members have been charged with the murder of a 9-year-old Anaheim girl, who was fatally shot while playing with her sisters and friends outside of her home.

Alfredo Miguel Aquino, 20, and Ricardo Cruz, 19, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon, but the arraignment hearing was continued to Nov. 21. Both men are being held without bail.

Along with the murder charge, they were also charged with one felony count of street terrorism, one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one felony count of possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of school grounds.

Aquino and Cruz were arrested Friday for the Oct. 22 shooting in the 2300 block of West Greenacre Avenue that killed Ximena Meza. Officials say the intended targets were a group of men who were gathered near where Meza was playing.

When the shots rang out, police said the group of men fled on foot, and the gunman sped away in the car. Meza was the only victim in the shooting.

Her parents were in court Tuesday afternoon to see the men accused of killing their daughter.

"They don't want to make any comments because they're still in mourning, but we are positive, 100 percent, that the Anaheim Police Department did not make a mistake on this arrest," said John Dunton, a family friend.

The murder sparked an outpouring of support for Meza's family. Police received numerous tips.

"There's a wide variety of information that led to the arrests of these individuals. That includes witness information, that includes forensic information, that includes audio interviews, that includes surveillance footage," said prosecutor Rahul Gupta.

Outside court, several people who came to see the defendants made an obscene gesture as they passed by.

Prosecutors say Cruz, who lists his occupation as a general laborer, was on parole. Aquino, who says he worked as a cook, was on probation. Last July, both men were convicted of a serious and violent felony including having a weapon for a gang-related incident.

"They are eligible for the death penalty," Gupta said.

If convicted, they face a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

An online fundraiser has been set up to help Meza's family with funeral costs.

Anyone with further information is urged to call 1-855-TIP-OCCS.