Three killed in three separate shootings overnight in Pomona

POMONA – Three men died and another was seriously wounded in three separate shootings late Saturday and early Sunday, authorities said.
The deadly night began with the fatal shooting of Jose Cerda, 45, of Pomona about 9:30 p.m. along Lexington Avenue, just west of Garey Avenue, Pomona police Sgt. Steve Congalton said in a written statement.
No arrests had been made in any of the slayings, police said, and no suspect descriptions were released.
“Victim Cerda was riding his bike in the area of Garey and Lexington when a vehicle pulled alongside him and (an occupant) shot him several times,” Congalton said.
“The vehicle was observed making a U-turn and driving back westbound long Lexington, then south on Park Avenue,” the sergeant added.
Cerda was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Isais Garcia Lopez, 24, of Ontario died in a shooting about two hours later and just under a mile away in an alley to the north of the 200 block of Orchid Lane, police said.
A second gunshot victim, an 18-year-old Pomona man whose name was not released, was rushed into surgery at a trauma center following the shooting, Congalton said. An update on his condition was not available Sunday morning.
The two men were walking through the residential alley about 11:30 p.m. when they were both shot by “unknown suspects,” Congalton said. Lopez died at the scene, while the wounded young man was able to run to a nearby courtyard, where he was found by police before being rushed to a hospital via helicopter.
Police towed two cars from a garage near the shooting scene and collected evidence, including a case of empty Pacifico beer bottles.
The slaying on Orchid Lane marked the second fatal shooting in the same neighborhood in four months.
Thirteen-year-old Justin Perez of Pomona and friend Andy Chavez, 17, of Upland, were shot to death in what police described as a gang-related attack outside a neighboring apartment building on April 13. A third victim who drove into the alley as the shooting occurred was fired upon and wounded.
A third shooting just before 3 a.m. in a residential neighborhood in the 1700 block of Benedict Way claimed the life of 29-year-old Angel Bravo of Pomona, Congalton said.
Bravo had just left home to visit a store when he was ambushed, according to police.
“He went outside and was standing near his vehicle, which was parked in the street,” the sergeant said. “Another vehicle pulled up next to him and began to fire at him with a handgun. Victim Bravo sustained several gunshot wounds to the upper torso.”
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
A white compact car was seen leaving the area and may have been involved, police added.
Anyone with information on any of the fatal shootings was asked to contact the Pomona Police Department Detective Bureau at 909-620-2085. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by contacting L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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