CARSON – A man was in custody Tuesday in connection with a possibly gang-related shooting that left two men dead within blocks of each other in Carson.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steven De Jong told the Daily Breeze that Raymond Maose, 22, was arrested in connection with the shooting, which occurred around 11:35 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of West 234th Street.
The sheriff’s department did not immediately confirm the reported arrest.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner on Tuesday confirmed the identity of the second of two men who died in the shooting.
Va’afatu Mativa, 18, of Gardena, whose father told reporters had recently undergone a kidney transplant, was identified as the second victim. The other man was previously identified as 44-year-old Richard Mata of Carson.
De Jong told the Daily Breeze that investigators believe that Mata — who was sitting in his vehicle — fired shots that struck Mativa, who was standing nearby. Maose returned fire, striking Mata, whose vehicle rolled forward and came to a stop when it struck a parked car in the 100 block of East 234th Street, De Jong told the paper.
He said investigators suspect the shooting was gang-related, but it’s still unclear exactly what prompted the gunfire.
Both Mativa and Mata died at the scene.
A GoFundMe page established by the family to raise money for his funeral said Mata was “a loving son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend,” and that “Richard’s most precious gift were his (three) beautiful children …”
Anyone with information regarding the shootings was urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
