People v. Cooper CA2/6

FACTS

The Shooting In October 2012, Cooper was a member of the Leuders Park gang. Nicos Mathis was a member of the Mob Piru gang. At the time Leuders Park and Mob Piru were rivals. Monique Peterson was a member of Mob Piru and a close friend of Mathis. She also knew Cooper and his family well. On the afternoon of October 24, 2012, Cooper, Mathis, and Peterson were in Gonzales Park in Compton. Peterson left to buy food at Taco Bell, a short distance away. Mathis remained at the park. While Peterson was at Taco Bell, Mathis called her and told her he was “getting into it with people.” Peterson grabbed her food and immediately returned to the park. When Peterson returned to the park, Cooper and Mathis were among a large group of men who were exchanging words. Mathis challenged Cooper to a fight. Cooper declined the challenge. Instead, Cooper walked toward a gym and took his cell phone out of his pocket. About 20 minutes later, as Mathis and Peterson were preparing to leave the park, a gold Buick Regal drove into the park. Peterson recognized the two occupants of the Buick as Leuders Park gang members. Peterson knew the Leuders Park

2. gang members were capable of committing murder.…