Arrests: Three held in connection with death of 18-year old woman

Los Angeles police arrested three men last week in connection with the death of Kendahl Williams, an 18-year-old black woman killed March 27 in a shooting witnessed by police officers in the Vermont-Slauson area.

Chenoby Russell, a 19-year-old black man; James Evans, an 18-year-old black man; and Deanthony Miller, a 19-year-old black man were arrested by LAPD Gang and Narcotic detectives on May 11 and 13th.

Each man has been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, according to the felony complaint provided by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. A 22-year old man who was among a group of people with Williams also was wounded in the shooting.

The complaint alleges the “offense was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in association with a criminal street gang with the specific intent to promote, further and assist in criminal conduct by gang members.”

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to a district attorney spokesman.

Williams and a group of friends were walking on the sidewalk shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, March 27, when a black Nissan Maxima stopped near them, according to an LAPD news release.

The front passenger of the car fired multiple times at the group, striking Williams and the 22-year-old man, police said.

Los Angeles Fire Department officials took both victims to a hospital. Williams, who was shot in the lower torso,  was pronounced dead at 11:57 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

The man was treated for a gunshot wound to his leg, according to police.

LAPD officers in the area saw the shooting and immediately followed the Maxima. The car drove west on 66th Street to Kansas Street, where its occupants got out and ran.

Investigators recovered the car and weapons allegedly used in the shooting but at the time were still trying to identify and locate the suspects.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in court again May 24 at the Los Angeles Municipal Court for a preliminary setting. They are being held in lieu of $3-million bail.

-- Sarah Ardalani

Photo: Kendahl Williams, Credit: DMV