After midnight Friday, July 6, 21-year-old David Silva of Culver City was shot and killed in the 2800 block of Neilson Way, near the Santa Monica/Venice city line, in what appeared to be a gang-related dispute.
Santa Monica police responded to the location, at Parking Lot 9 near Ashland Avenue and Neilson Way, at 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, regarding a call of shots fired. When officers arrived on the scene, witnesses told them that two groups of three or four male Hispanics each had been involved in an argument and had exchanged gang signs.
“After the argument,” said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla, “one of the groups left in a silver or blue four-door vehicle (no further description) northbound on Neilson Way. As the vehicle drove past the group they had been arguing with, several gunshots were fired from a small caliber handgun, striking the victim in the upper torso as he was walking with his friends. The victim was driven to UCLA Medical Center by his friends, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.”
“The suspects in this incident are described as three or four male Hispanics. Detectives are still trying to identify the involved gangs and the motive,” added Lt. Padilla.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8427 (24 hours) or Detectives at 310.458.8451 (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at 800.78.CRIME (72463).
