Tulisa's Friend, 21, Shot Dead In Gangland Hit

Reece James, 21, a close friend of Tulisa Contostavlos has been shot dead in a reported gangland attack. The 21-year-old, who appeared with Tulisa in a video for rapper Nines, was shot in the head in a "pre-planned and targeted" hit, 100 miles from his home in London, reports the UK's Sun newspaper. Police found James' body in Boscombe, Bournemouth, at around 2.30am near where Somali drug gangs are said operate. A 22-year-old man was arrested. Reece was said to have been in the area with some friends for "a couple of months", though had filmed the video earlier this month with Tulisa and rapper Nines on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, North West London. The former N Dubz star caused controversy at the time, making a "C" symbol to the camera - the same sign that is used by Harlesden's notorious Church Road Soldiers gang. Tulisa claimed it was a reference to Camden, where she was born. Twitter tributes began flooding in last night, with one user writing, "RIP Reece James. Thoughts are with him and his family and friends". Local MP Tobias Ellwood described the killing as "a spill over from the drugs turf war in the capital", adding, "This was one London gang chasing down another, carrying out a professional hit and then going back".

Adrian Rodriguez, 21, of Santa Ana was detained Wednesday night during a traffic stop near McFadden Avenue and Raitt Street,

Adrian Rodriguez, 21, of Santa Ana was detained Wednesday night during a traffic stop near McFadden Avenue and Raitt Street, police said. He was booked on one count of murder and gang enhancements at the Santa Ana City Jail, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

Adrian Rodriguez, 21, of Santa Ana, is accused of being involved in the fatal altercation that happened Sunday night outside Taqueria Zamora in the 3100 block of South Main Street, police said.

Rodriguez is accused of being involved in the fatal altercation Sunday night outside Taqueria Zamora in the 3100 block of South Main Street, police said.
The shooting occurred after two groups of rival gang members got into an argument inside the restaurant, according to police. The argument continued in the parking lot, where members of both groups pulled out handguns and shots were fired, Bertagna said.
Detectives have not revealed what role Rodriguez played in the confrontation.
Officers responding to reports of gunfire found 32-year-old Sergio Maldonado suffering from life-threatening wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
During the investigation, gang detectives determined a second man was injured during the shooting and tried to flee to Mexico to seek medical treatment, Bertagna said.
On Monday night, police got a call from a hospital in San Diego. Staff told police that Arnie Zavala, 20, of Santa Ana showed up at the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound and died, Bertagna said. Zavala and Rodriguez were associated with the same group, he said.
Maldonado and Zavala were from different gangs, Bertagna said, adding that detectives are piecing together what led to the shooting.
According to court records, Rodriguez pleaded guilty in 2008 to being a gang member carrying a loaded firearm and being in a criminal street gang and resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer or emergency medical technician. He was sentenced to two years in state prison, records show.
Detectives are looking for at least one additional person.
The gang homicide reward program is offering up to a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
Four people have died this year during gang-related violence, according to officials.

Jackson, of the 5100 block of South Union Avenue, was one of several Black P Stone gang members who had fought with rival Gangster Disciples earlier in the day and then returned to even the score, police said.

Lesean Jackson, 21, was convicted in a bench trial last month of first-degree murder in the October 2007 slaying of Arthur Jones in the 800 block of West Garfield Boulevard.

Jackson, of the 5100 block of South Union Avenue, was one of several Black P Stone gang members who had fought with rival Gangster Disciples earlier in the day and then returned to even the score, police said.

Arthur, who went by the nickname "AJ," was heading to a store nearby with his best friend after school to buy candy and soda when he heard shots ring out and tried to run, according to witnesses. He was shot in the neck and died later at a hospital.

Arthur's mother, Rita Perez, said in court the pain of her son's death is "deep inside my guts."

"He was the most caring, loving and the funniest person anyone would like to know," she said. "Not having him in my life is so sad. Missing his smile and his touch is unbearable."

Perez said she blamed gang violence for taking her son, despite her efforts to keep him safe.

"I tried so hard to be the best mother I could be — I know that his death has nothing to do with me," she said. "It all has to do with your evil and selfishness."

Steven McCaskill, 20, who handed Jackson the gun, pleaded guilty to murder in October 2010 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, records show. A third defendant is awaiting a bench-trial verdict.