Jonathan Rojas, 34

Jonathan Rojas, a 34-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Aug. 30, in the 8000 block of Washington Avenue in Whittier, according to police and Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly after 12 p.m., Rojas was taking out the trash in front of his home when a car with two men and a juvenile believed to be from the Pico Nuevo criminal street gang pulled up.

A man got out of the car, walked up to Rojas and asked him what gang he was from, then fired a revolver, striking him several times, according to a statement from the Whittier Police Department.

According to witnesses, Rojas said he was not from a gang. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:54 p.m.

The alleged shooter, later identified as Anthony Michael Delci, a 30-year-old Latino, got back into the car, allegedly driven by Victor Marcus Arzate,  a 25-year-old Latino, and they sped off.

Delci was taken into custody 12 hours later, and police recovered the murder weapon.

On Oct. 2, Delci and Arzate each were charged with one count of murder, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Arzate was also charged with being a felon with a firearm. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and are due in court for a hearing Feb. 19.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Whittier Police Department at (562) 567-9270. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz