Torrance woman arrested in mistaken ID killing tied to Seal Beach homicide
After her boyfriend was shot to death driving on the 405 Freeway in Seal Beach in August, a Torrance woman allegedly teamed with friends and family of the victim to conduct their own investigation to identify the shooter.
It was revealed by Bay Area police Tuesday, April 20, that this amateur investigation led to a mistaken ID retaliation killing there for the August death — and the Torrance woman is now in custody along with the brother of the Seal Beach victim.
Amanda Young, 29, was arrested in Torrance on Thursday, April 15, on a warrant executed by the San Mateo Police Department and was extradited to San Mateo, police said. She was held on suspicion of homicide and conspiracy.
On April 1, Isaiah Reupena, 34, was arrested by San Mateo detectives on suspicion of homicide at his home in Blanchard, Oklahoma, and was awaiting extradition.
Both were arrested in the Dec. 19 shooting death of 30-year-old Bay Area rapper Melota Lemafa Lasi Jr., known as Cutty Banks, in San Mateo, police said.
Both are alleged to have taken part in a “street investigation” to identify the killer of 27-year-old Lewis Reupena, who was fatally shot driving on the freeway in Seal Beach on Aug. 29. Through this investigation, they allegedly pegged Lasi as the killer, however, the California Highway Patrol had ruled out Lasi’s involvement in the Southern California freeway shooting, according to police.
Young allegedly convinced Isaiah Reupena of Lasi’s guilt, causing him to drive to San Mateo, police said. Reupena then shot and killed Lasi, then drove back to Southern California, abandoned the car he used to drive to Northern California and then moved to Oklahoma, according to police.
Young is also alleged to have moved to Oklahoma with Reupena’s family, but returned to Southern California prior to her arrest.
Lewis Reupena was a music artist named “Looce” who lived in Orange County, according to CBS Los Angeles.
This post first appeared on ocregister.com
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