Trial set for two men accused of Downey murder

NORWALK – A trial date has been set for two men accused of murdering a 20-year-old Downey man in January.

Steven Anthony Gil, 26, of Compton and Steven Ochoa Zamora, 18, of South Gate are accused of murdering Gerardo Fernandez behind a restaurant on Imperial Highway near Old River School Road.

Their murder trial is scheduled to start Sept. 26 at the Norwalk courthouse.

Gil and Zamora were arrested days after the Jan. 7 shooting.

Fernandez died after he was shot in the neck and torso, according to Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

Fernandez was approached about 11:25 p.m. by two men while he was standing behind Albert’s Mexican Restaurant, and an argument started,  according to Downey Police.

Fernandez started heading to his nearby apartment when the men followed him and shot him in the neck and torso, according to information from the police department.

Police believe the shooting was likely gang related.

In the days following the shooting, about 30 candles, a portrait of Fernandez and a few bouquets of flowers were placed in an alley behind Albert’s.

Fernandez, who is known around the neighborhood as “Cuba,” is pictured throwing up a gang sign.

Fernandez was one of two people killed in Downey this year.

A man was shot to death on Elm Vista Drive in January after a home invasion robbery. That crime is unsolved so far.

Police are also working the unsolved killing of Genaro Ramirez, 19, who shot in the stomach Oct. 17 while he was sitting on his bicycle near his home in the southern part of the city early in the morning.