Fatal Shooting Of Concord Teen Gang-Related, Police Now Believe

CONCORD, CA — Investigators with the Concord Police Department now believe the fatal shooting Nov. 6 of a 17-year-old Concord boy outside Olympic High School was gang-related, and that the same group of suspects facing charges in the student's death are also responsible for a separate shooting Oct. 13 in the city, police said Monday.

The killing of Lawrence Janson near the school at 2730 Salvio St. and the Oct. 13 shooting that injured a female Concord resident near Ellis Street and Clayton Road are both being investigated as crimes
related to the MS-13 criminal street gang, police said. Police made more arrests on Friday and now say six people in all are accused of one or both of the shootings.

Kristhiam Uceda, 20, has now been charged on suspicion of the murder of Janson and attempted murder in the Oct. 13 shooting.

Bryan Chachagua, 18, also faces a murder charge in Janson's death.

Additionally, three 17-year-old male juveniles face murder charges in the teen's death, as well as attempted murder charges in the Oct. 13 shooting.

A sixth suspect, a 17-year-old male, has been arrested and is charged in the Oct. 13 shooting but not in Janson's death, according to police.

Although police initially believed Janson was targeted in the shooting, they did not believe it was gang-related. Now, all six of those arrested in the ensuing investigation have also been charged for their alleged involvement with a street gang.

"The investigation has shown that all six were associated with the criminal street gang MS-13 at the time of the crimes," police said in a statement Tuesday.

Investigators allege Uceda is the main suspect in both shootings, Concord police Lt. Mike Kindorf told Patch. Specifically, Kindorf said, investigators believe comments made by Uceda to Janson just prior to the shooting indicate he was responsible.

Uceda knew Janson, the lieutenant said.

"Some of that group had gone to the same high school the year before," Kindorf said.

On a GoFundMe page set up to financially support the teen's family in the wake of his unexpected death, Janson is described as a "beautiful soul" and "an amazing caring son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend to many people." As of Tuesday morning, more than $12,000 had been raised toward the campaign's goal of $15,000.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• 4 Suspects Charged In Killing Of Concord 17-Year-Old
• Concord Student Shot Dead ID'd; 5 Arrested: Police
• Student Dead In Shooting Near High School: Concord Police

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Main images: Concord police serve warrants and make additional arrests Nov. 17, 2017 in the investigation surrounding the Nov 6., 2017 fatal shooting of Lawrence Janson, 17, and an Oct. 13, 2017 shooting that left a Concord resident wounded. (Photos via Concord Police Department Facebook page)