SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE RIOS BROTHERS OF EAST HOLLYWOOD – LOS CUENTOS WRAP-UP

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On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Rios-Vela family attended the first court hearing for the alleged and primary suspect behind the murder of The Rios Brothers, Marcos Navarro, 33 years old. It was an extremely emotional day, yet Amalia Vela in particular spoke out with clarity and courage about what she seeks in terms of accountability for her two slain children. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

(2:00) Amalia Vela speaks. We listen.
(4:52) Ivan Robles speaks. We listen.
(11:45) Uplifting Alex and Eliana Rios, Sergio Rios’s two twin toddlers.

For your own reference, you can watch the full press conference with the Rios-Vela family alongside District Attorney George Gascón’s office on June 10th here.

And you can donate to the fundraiser for Alex and Eliana, Sergio Rios Jr.’s two children, at this link.

Last but not least, you can read our tribute to the Rios brothers via Making a Neighborhood here.

J.T.

Zoot Suit Heritage Week in L.A.

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This was a special and yet very difficult day at the center of Los Angeles for yours truly. Having committed to this production with the Sueño Team in advance, little did I know that I would have to show up to the event less than a week after the devastating loss of two brothers in my community, which by extension was a loss for the heart of Los Angeles.

But I showed up for the inaugural Zoot Suit Heritage Week nonetheless because I knew that’s what our brothers would have wanted. Sure enough, I found myself uplifted by the beauty of our people, our culture and our enduring strength even while facing great challenges. Please check out the full video for this day from Whittier Blvd to Broadway via the link in my bio, and be sure to subscribe to J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast and to follow the Sueño Team for more from our collaborative Palabra series soon.

J.T.

Tonight we raise a toast: To the Rios-Vela Family

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This evening an array of old friends and neighbors are gathering at The Edmon in Hollywood for a Benefit Jam in honor of Sergio Rios Jr. and Ricardo Rios. At the same time, as Sergio and Amalia Rios prepare to bury their two sons soon, this fundraiser organized by Ivan Robles, Sergio and Ricky’s primo, is nearing its goal; please consider donating to ensure the family can better support Sergio’s two children, each less than two-and-a-half years old, in the days ahead.

J.T.

District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges Against Suspect in the Murder of Sergio Rios Jr. and Ricardo Rios in South Los Angeles

J.T.

From the official pages of D.A. Gascón’s office dated June 10, 2024:

“LOS ANGELES, CA- Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a man has been charged with allegedly murdering two brothers outside their home near Exposition Park as they sat in their vehicle on June 1.


“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the brothers’ loved ones who lost two members of their family to senseless gun violence,” District Attorney Gascón said. “These tragic deaths underscore the urgency of keeping guns out of the hands of the wrong individuals. Our office is dedicated to seeking justice for the victims and their loved ones.”

Marcos Navarro (dob 3/5/1991) is charged in case 24CJCF03508 with two counts of murder. It is further alleged that defendant used a firearm in the commission of the offenses.

On June 1, Navarro allegedly shot two brothers who were sitting in their parked vehicle outside of their home near Exposition Park.

Sergio Rios, 33, died at the scene. Ricardo Rios, 19, was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on July 3 in Dept. 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

He is being held on $5,000,000 bail.

If convicted as charged, Navarro faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.”

J.T.