LA police arrest one suspect, identify two in school shooting

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Students and teachers praised the surrender Friday of two reputed gang members sought for a drive-by shooting outside Taft High School that wounded three teenagers.

"It reduces a lot of the fear on campus," Principal Pete Ferry told KCAL-TV.

"It's great for the community," student Dan Nabati said. "Hopefully, they get what they deserve."

Terry Boyd Taylor, 20, of Van Nuys and Jeffery Trinell Young, 21, of Panorama City, surrendered at the Van Nuys police station after media reports named them as suspects, authorities said.

"I think that the suspects realized there was nowhere to hide," Mayor James Hahn said at a news conference.

Kristopher James Govea, 20, the alleged driver of the car used during the shooting, was arrested Thursday at his Granada Hills home.

All three were booked for investigation of attempted murder and were to be held on $1 million bail each, police said.

"I think it's the greatest thing. One of the students (victims) was my student," teacher Gloria Saucedo said.

Police alleged that Taylor was the gunman, Young was a passenger and Govea was driving the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant that pulled up to a crowded bus stop near Taft in Woodland Hills on Sept. 9.

"They were hunting down opposing gang members," homicide Detective Andrew Purdy said. "They missed their intended targets."

The three had been driving around "and these are their words: 'looking for the enemy,"' Detective Richard Swanston said.

About 60 people, including many students just off from classes, were waiting at the stop when the gang members shouted at a possible rival to identify his affiliation, police said.

"The guy responded with his neighborhood and dove for cover," Purdy said.

Shots from a handgun struck three students, ages 15, 16 and 17, in the chest.

A boy and girl remained hospitalized in stable condition Friday, Purdy said. The boy was paralyzed from the waist down, possibly permanently, Purdy said.

The mayor said 50 detectives worked on the case, and tips from the public helped authorities identify the suspects.

"I think our community's outrage helped tremendously," the mayor said.