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Crime & Safety

Teens in Van Nuys Charged in Stabbing at High School

The arraignment occurred at the Van Nuys Courthouse.

A 16-year-old alleged gang member, charged today along with two 19-year-old suspects, will be tried for first-degree murder as an adult in the stabbing death of an 18-year-old man at Cleveland High School in Reseda.

Kevin Orellano of Reseda was fatally stabbed on the campus in the 8100 block of Vanalden Avenue about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles police said.

Detectives arrested Anthony Carpio, 16, and Michael Carpio and Michelle Pineda, both 19, at a Panorama City home in the 15000 block of Roscoe Boulevard early Thursday.     

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If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison, according to the complaint. The relationship between the three suspects was not disclosed.

The Carpios were both charged with first-degree murder, and Anthony is additionally charged with special circumstance allegations of using a knife and committing the murder for the benefit of a street gang.

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Pineda was charged with one count of accessory after the fact and a gang allegation that makes that crime a serious felony. Officers found a maroon minivan believed to have been the getaway vehicle, and Pineda is alleged to have been the driver.

Orellano was playing handball with another person when the suspects approached him, police said. After a brief argument, one suspect punched him, and the other stabbed him with a pocket knife, police said.

"Witnesses reported seeing the two suspects leave the school in a maroon-colored minivan driven by a young Hispanic female," police said.

Police said the male suspects are gang members, but the victim had no apparent gang ties.

LAPD Cmdr. Sharon Papa told the Los Angeles Times that Orellano was an adult-education student at West Valley Occupational Center in Woodland Hills. Police do not believe the suspects are students.

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