By Racine Guajardo

Walnut– Walnut High School Student, Fernando Basurto, 18, was shot and killed on Thursday, May 19.

The Walnut/Diamond Bar Station responded to the 18400 Block of Desidia Street, Rowland Heights for a “gunshot victim” call. Immediately, they were directed to the alley, where the victim had been shot, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Basurto was treated by paramedics but pronounced dead at the scene.

After the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives conducted an investigation, they’ve learned that the victim was shot at approximately 11:41 p.m. Witnesses recalled seeing two acquaintances with the victim hanging out in the garage of an apartment complex, when two Hispanics in their 20’s had confronted them. The verbal confrontation led to a physical altercation, which at some point a gun was pulled out and the suspect allegedly started firing at all 3 victims. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Basurto was the only one hit, in the upper torso.

The two suspects immediately fled east from the alley and out of view after the shooting. The other two victims were not injured, and it is unknown whether this incident was gang related.

Walnut High School announced that they have mobilized a crisis team who are available on an ongoing basis, including Grade Level Counselors, school psychologists, and direct personnel.

There is no additional information available at this point, but this is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.