Teens charged in mall shooting

A teen was charged Friday with murder in a shooting incident the night before that claimed the life of one teen. He also allegedly chased the victim's friend, shooting at him, but instead wounded a bystander, the prosecutor said in court.

"The actions of this individual indicate he is a danger to the entire community," said prosecutor James Coil, during 16-year-old Jose Moreno's arraignment on Friday afternoon. "He is out of control."

Moreno and 17-year-old Martin Salazar were both arraigned in Yuma Justice Court Friday in connection to the shooting death of 18-year-old David Duran of Yuma, who died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

According to the initial YPD investigation, a fight broke out shortly before 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Yuma Palms Shopping Center in front of Harkins Theatres among several apparent gang members.

The disturbance moved to the area behind Pac Sun, where the victim was shot. He made his way to the front of the business before succumbing to his wound. He was transported to YRMC, where he was pronounced dead.

The Yuma County Attorney's Office is prosecuting both teens as adults. Moreno was charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault and participating in a criminal syndicate.

Salazar, who in his MySpace Web page professes himself to be a member of the Eastside Naked City Street Gang, was charged with participating in a criminal syndicate and assault.

In addition to setting bond amounts for each of the teens, Yuma Justice of the Peace David Cooper scheduled their next court appearances - preliminary hearings - for Feb. 25 at 3 p.m.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call YPD at 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Sun staff writer Joyce Lobeck contributed to this report.