Two Young Men Gunned Down in Pomona

And in Pomona Village, the year ended with the deaths of two young men. Twenty-three-year-old Zion Samuels and twenty-two-year-old Luke Chavarria were shot and killed on New Year’s Eve.  Police say a lone gunman opened fire on the group of six friends gathered at Samuel’s home. Investigators are still determining the motive for the attack as the suspect remains at large. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

What was intended to be a hangout to bring in the New Year for six Pomona Village residents turned into a night of horror. The six individuals were socializing on this porch outside of twenty-three-year-old Zion Samuels’ home when, just before midnight, a gunman approached them and opened fire. Two young men were fatally wounded: twenty-two-year-old Luke Chavarria and Zion Samuels. The other four were able to escape the shower of bullets. This morning a couple of candles were lit at the very spot they took their last breath. Police told us what they know so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What the investigation has disclosed so far is that Chavarria and Samuels were a part of a group of six persons that were socializing in the yard when a lone gunman entered and fired several shots, which resulted in the untimely demise of these male persons.”

 

Zion Samuels’ father, Mark Samuels, was only able to muster up a few words when we asked him for comments. He spoke about how much he missed his son.

 

Mark Samuels, Father of Deceased

“My son da mi wa easy going person mein. They coulda mi beg fi something more than do that. That’s all I got fi say mein. I all time give everything to the Lord. I just give everything to the Lord all the time.”

 

But was this a random act of violence, or was it drug related? Police have carried out several drug-related operations at the home where the murders occurred.

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“No motive has been established; however we do know the property where the incident occurred, police have launched several operations in relation to drugs.”

 

That very house is today riddled with gunshot holes, a reminder of the crime that unfolded on New Year’s Eve and the lives lost. Not only were Chavarria and Samuels lifelong friends, but they were also neighbors. A close family friend of the Samuels lamented their deaths. She was once Samuels’ babysitter.

 

Voice of: Neidia Guzman, Neighbor of Deceased

“It hurts, it hurts, I cannot say no lie about Zion and he and Uri are good friends from little boys, football playing, everyday Uri at his house playing, entertaining, playing with the brother. The family knows him very well. We can’t say anything bad. He goes to work, come home, his kids, loving at home. We feel it, our family feel it because they grow up with me.”

 

The gunman fled the yard, headed up a nearby street, and made good his escape.

 

Voice of: Neidia Guzman

“Yesterday I went at his mom and she does not want to let me go. First thing she said, Neids my baby gone. I feel it because when they first move here I was the only one beside her. She took me as a sister. I am always there for her.”

 

Samuels leaves behind a young child. Police are seeking one suspect. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.