2 gang members sentenced in 2016 killing of Marine on leave in South LA

Anabel Munoz Image
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
LA gang members sentenced for killing 19-year-old Marine
Two gang members who shot and killed a 19-year-old Marine in South Los Angeles have been sentenced to potential life terms in prison.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two gang members who shot and killed a 19-year-old Marine in his car in South Los Angeles have been sentenced to potential life terms in prison.

Twenty-eight-year-old Oscar Aguilar was given 100 years to life on Monday and 31-year-old Esau Rios received 50 years to life.

Prosecutors say Aguilar shot Lance Cpl. Carlos Segovia Lopez in the head in 2016.

"This is the clothes that Carlos was wearing the day that he was shot," said an emotional Sandra Lopez, the mother of the Marine who was killed, as she addressed the court.

Segovia Lopez was on leave Sept. 16, 2016 when he reportedly confronted the two men in the Jefferson Park neighborhood, believing they were tampering with vehicles. He was shot in the head.

He died three days later at the hospital.

Sandra Lopez spoke of her son's dedication to community service, helping the homeless and at-risk youth to prevent crimes.

"He told me, 'Mom, I need to change the world,'" she said.

A picture of Segovia Lopez hangs outside the family's home. The home is filled with more photos of him, and there's an entire room dedicated to his memory.

The Marine mom's favorite wall includes a cutout of her son that makes her feel closer to him. Despite the pain, she beams with pride and joy when she speaks of his life.

"I tell everyone that he is my son," she said, "I am proud of him to my last breath."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.