Alexander Deleon, a 19-year-old Latino, was tragically shot and killed on August 7, 2015, in Maywood, California. The incident occurred at the Maywood Inn, located on the 5400 block of Atlantic Boulevard. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about an assault with a deadly weapon at approximately 12:09 p.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered Deleon in a room on the third floor with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:30 p.m. A 41-year-old man in the adjacent room was also injured by a stray bullet but survived after receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Investigations revealed that Deleon had checked into the hotel room with his older brother, Steve Horta, 24, and their nephew, Ruben Horta, 18. Deleon had been adopted into another family at a young age and had recently reunited with his biological family. The room where Deleon was found showed evidence of drug use, and conflicting stories from the Hortas complicated the investigation. Witnesses reported hearing a scuffle followed by gunshots. A handgun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered from the room.
Both Steve Horta and Ruben Horta were arrested on suspicion of murder. On August 12, 2015, Steve Horta was charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition, and being an accessory after the fact. Ruben Horta faced charges of murder and being an accessory after the fact. Their arraignment was scheduled for August 26, 2015, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court Metropolitan Courthouse.
The case drew significant attention as investigators worked to piece together the events leading to Deleon's death. The involvement of family members and the presence of drugs added layers of complexity to the investigation. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in solving the case. Despite the arrests, the investigation continued as detectives sought to uncover the full story behind the tragic incident.
