2 gang members charged in 2012 murder of 14-year-old boy

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- Riverside police said two men are in custody in the murder of a 14-year-old boy who was shot to death in front of his grandmother's house nearly three years ago.

Detectives had been searching for the killer of Lareanz Simmons since he was gunned down in the 2200 block of Georgia Street as he walked home from school on Feb. 23, 2012. The suspects drove up in a car, got out and shot the victim. He was transported to Riverside Community Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Authorities announced Thursday that Manuel Barbarin, 24, and Cristian Velasquez, 23, have been charged with murder in the case. Both men are documented gang members who were already behind bars for unrelated cases, according to investigators.

Barbarin was in state prison on a conviction of being a felon in possession of a handgun, and Velasquez was in jail awaiting trial for assault charges.

Investigators said Simmons was not in a gang, and it's likely that the suspects didn't even know him. Simmons was a freshman ROTC student at Poly High School. He would have graduated this year.

"I'm just so happy that the police did their job. I had a lot of bad feelings because it hurt so much. This is the happiest time of my life, just to have those guys in jail" said Theresa Stuart, the victim's mother.

The police chief said there may have been a third person in the car along with the two suspects. He is a Hispanic male in his early 20s who goes by the name Ricardo. Police said he is still on the loose.

Because this is considered a hate crime, the district attorney said both men will be eligible for the death penalty.

Anyone with more information on the third suspect is asked to contact Riverside Police Detective Adrian Tillet at (951) 353-7105 or Detective Mike Medici at (951) 353-7104. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.