Benjamin Renteria, 23

Died March 31, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.

Benjamin Renteria, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, March 31, in a double homicide in the 1200 block of South Herbert St. in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Renteria and Diego Ivan Vargas, a 22-year-old Latino, were killed about 20 minutes after the unrelated double slaying of two older men in a used car lot less than a mile away on Olympic Boulevard.

Later on the day of their slayings, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said they had man in custody who they described as a suspected gang member and expected him to be charged with murder in connection with the cases.

"He was arrested on unrelated charges and he is a suspect in this case," Det. Howard Cooper said. "We believe he is responsible for the death of both victims."

Cooper said the suspect is an active gang member and that Renteria and Vargas are believed to be possible gang members from Maywood. They were visiting friends when they were killed, the detective said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (323) 890-5500.

— Hector Becerra