MADERA, Calif. — A Central California gang member allegedly shot a man to death for wearing rival gang colors after failing to realize that he and the victim were actually in the same crew.
Andrew Chavez, 21, was booked on suspicion of murdering Michael Sanchez, whose age was not available, and promoting a street gang, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Sanchez and Chavez were both members of the Norteno gang, according to the Madera County Police Department.
It’s not clear why Sanchez was wearing the colors of the rival gang, but when Chavez saw him walking home from a local bar on Sunday, he opened fire, killing him “in cold blood,” officials said.
Chavez, who was held on more than $1 million bail, was already on probation following another weapons related incident. In that case, officers arrested him after he fled with an AK-47 assault rifle, according to records.
“We would like to extend our condolences to the family of the victim,” police said in a statement obtained by the paper. “I hope that the efforts taken by our officers gives some closure to the family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.”
