Couple Held in Fatal Shooting of Reseda Man

RESEDA — A Sylmar man and his common-law wife were arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday following the shooting death of a Reseda man in an altercation next to a convenience store parking lot, police said. Mario Montano, 27, was shot in the abdomen and arm with a 9-millimeter handgun at about 2 a.m. Saturday after apparently trying to break up a fight. He died at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, said Sgt. Jeri Weinstein of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police later arrested Eugenio Rodriguez, 32, and Sucette Gallo, 36, at their home in a Sylmar trailer park at 15445 Cobalt Ave.

Police said Montano and his girlfriend went to the 7-Eleven at Saticoy Street and Tampa Avenue to buy milk. Before entering the store, Montano yelled at two men to stop fighting in a street next to the store, Weinstein said.

Rodriguez then drove by in a van and told Montano to mind his own business, officials said. The two argued, police said, and shots were fired.

Rodriguez and Gallo are being held on $1 million bail.