New developments in the November 3rd shooting at Virginia Avenue park, where one man was killed. Santa Monica Police have released the names of the four men arrested for the crime.
The four individuals were all charged with murder, attempted murder and promoting a criminal street gang. Their names are Patrick Dwight Birdsong Jr., an 18-year-old Black male from Los Angeles; Normal Lovan Cole, a 33-year-old Black male from Los Angeles; Sean Alex Mermer, a 29-year-old White male from Lancaster; and a Black male whose identification were withheld because he is a juvenile.
Cole and Mermer were both also charged for violation of parole and were not given bail. The juvenile’s bail was also not set. Birdsong’s bail was set at $1.05 million.
The Santa Monica Police Department’s release of the identities and details of the four accused males was contrary to many media’s reports describing the shooters as all Hispanic males, Sgt. David Hunscke told The Mirror.
Hunscke also told The Mirror that specifics on the guns used were not being released because the detectives on the case have not yet concluded their investigation.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427 (24 hours). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call We Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463).
