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LOS ANGELES — A 25-year-old man was charged on Thursday with the shotgun murder of his brother and another man at their Boyle Heights residence on Tuesday, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
Israel Lopez was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murder, making him eligible for the death penalty. The complaint also alleges Lopez personally and intentionally discharged a shotgun.
Lopez will be held without bail, said Deputy District Attorney Michael Gargiulo with the Family Violence Division.
Lopez is charged with fatally shooting his 29-year-old brother, Gustavo, and his brother’s friend, Rafael Aguilar, who had just arrived at the residence in the 3300 block of Hunter Street. The double shooting occurred about 4 p.m.
Authorities said the fatal shooting allegedly involved a family dispute between the brothers.
Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned sometime after 1:30 p.m. at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Department 30, in case BA 404552.
Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty.
Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney
