7 arrested in 2020 killing of teen boy in California park

VISALIA, Calif. (AP) — Seven people between the ages of 16 and 51 have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a teen boy in a central California park two years ago, authorities announced Wednesday.

Fifteen-year-old Justin Molina was was shot once on Dec. 13, 2020 in Visalia’s Ruiz Park and died at a hospital a week later.

Tips from the public helped investigators with the Visalia Police Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Justice identify the suspects, law enforcement officials said.

Officers on Tuesday executed six search warrants, arresting six men and women and one juvenile, while seizing several weapons, the police department said in a statement.

A 20-year-old man is charged with homicide and the others face various charges including accessory to homicide, conspiracy and obstructing an officer, police said.

“While we cannot erase the pain and trauma experienced by those involved in this case, we hope that these arrests bring some level of closure for the victim’s family and to the Visalia community,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

Officials didn’t announce a motive for the shooting.