An 18-year-old man was arrested as a suspect in the killings of two teenagers after a party in San Diego.
San Diego homicide Capt. Jim Collins said Derelle Oliver was booked Monday night for investigation of the murders of Monique Palmer, 17, and Michael Taylor, 15. Oliver was arrested the night the teens were killed and charged with assault with a deadly weapon for threatening people with a gun at a party in Valencia Hills that the slain teens attended.
Oliver was out on bail when he was arrested again Monday. He is suspected in the fatal shootings of the two teens, who were killed walking home after the party.
The teens were at the party when suspected gang members showed up shouting gang challenges, police said. Palmer and Taylor left. At least two men opened fire on them, as they were walking home, said police.
Collins said Oliver's arrest came "after further investigation and discussions with the district attorney's office."
Palmer was a senior at Lincoln High School. She was headed to college on a scholarship, a member of the student council, and a youth leader working hard to stop gang violence.
"I just want to thank her for letting me be her mom for the short time I had her, and I would just like all of the gang violence to stop," said her mother, Tracey Swafford, after the killing. Palmer will be buried Friday in her cap and gown.
Michael Taylor was a promising athlete at Point Loma High School. He was only a freshman but was already playing varsity football. His family and friends buried him Monday.
"Right now, I'm still mourning the death of my son. I do not have any details from police, " said Denise Saunders, Michael Taylor's mother. She did say that she hopes police have the right guy. "The only thing that puzzles me is they arrested someone and then let him out on bail. I just want them to arrest the right person," she said.
