Two Men Charged in Actor's Death
By Associated Press
November 22, 2002, 12:03 AM EST
LOS ANGELES -- Two armed men were arrested Thursday in the shooting death of television and film actor Merlin Santana, police said.
Authorities said they now have all three suspects they were seeking in the slaying.
Damien Gates, 20, and Brandon Bynes, 23, both of Los Angeles, were arrested for investigation of murder and were being held without bail.
Both men had guns when they were arrested, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Last week, a 15-year-old girl was charged with murder in Santana's death. Her identity has not been made public because of her age.
Santana, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro movie "Showtime," was shot to death Nov. 9 while sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car. Three teens also were in the car.
Detective John Garcia said a verbal exchange created a "grudge" between Santana and his friend and the two male suspects. Police added they believe the actor did nothing to provoke the shooter.
Santana earned nominations for the National Association of Colored People's Image Awards and the ALMA Awards, which honor Hispanic performers, for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on "The Steve Harvey Show."
By Associated Press
November 22, 2002, 12:03 AM EST
LOS ANGELES -- Two armed men were arrested Thursday in the shooting death of television and film actor Merlin Santana, police said.
Authorities said they now have all three suspects they were seeking in the slaying.
Damien Gates, 20, and Brandon Bynes, 23, both of Los Angeles, were arrested for investigation of murder and were being held without bail.
Both men had guns when they were arrested, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.
Last week, a 15-year-old girl was charged with murder in Santana's death. Her identity has not been made public because of her age.
Santana, who recently appeared in the Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro movie "Showtime," was shot to death Nov. 9 while sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car. Three teens also were in the car.
Detective John Garcia said a verbal exchange created a "grudge" between Santana and his friend and the two male suspects. Police added they believe the actor did nothing to provoke the shooter.
Santana earned nominations for the National Association of Colored People's Image Awards and the ALMA Awards, which honor Hispanic performers, for his recurring role as Romeo Santana on "The Steve Harvey Show."
