Pre-Med Student Dies of Injuries in Gang Attack

Charges against two gang members accused of shooting a UCLA pre-med student in an unprovoked attack in Pacoima this month were upgraded to murder Tuesday after the student’s death, authorities said.

Ricardo Olivares, 18, of San Fernando, was shot May 19 after he was confronted by two gunman at a convenience store where he and four friends had stopped for gas and snacks. He died Friday night at UCLA Medical Center.

Police arrested Albert Muro, 24, of Mission Hills, on May 21 and Arthur Rivera, 23, of San Fernando, last Thursday. Both men were charged with attempted murder but those charges were upgraded to murder by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Police said both suspects, who are members of the same gang, are believed to have fired on Olivares.