LA teens hired by Mexican cartel to murder rival at SoCal Chili’s learn their fate

Two teenagers from Los Angeles have been sentenced to 25 years in prison for their involvement in an assassination attempt orchestrated by the Sinaloa Cartel in Southern California. Andrew “Shooter” Nunez, 16, and Johncarlo “Dumper” Quintero, 17, were handed their punishment after pleading guilty to attempted murder and the unintended death of a fellow gang member.

The shocking incident took place in March 2024 when the young hitmen, aged just 15 at the time, attempted to eliminate a rival at a Chili’s restaurant in the San Diego area. The duo, hired by the Sinaloa Cartel, drove from Los Angeles to Chula Vista to carry out the hit. Quintero managed to fire a shot at the target’s leg before his gun malfunctioned, prompting the victim to flee. The pair then tried to run him over but failed.

Undeterred, Nunez and Quintero, along with an older accomplice named Ricardo Sanchez, 28, later showed up at the victim’s residence in the early hours of the following day. However, the target was not at home, so the teens indiscriminately fired at the house where the man’s relatives and friends were present. In a tragic turn of events, the friend inside the house retaliated with gunfire, resulting in Sanchez’s death. The teenagers then fled the scene.

In December, Nunez and Quintero pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder charges, acknowledging that they were hired as hitmen by the cartel. They were aware that they could not be tried as adults, which is why they were recruited for the job.

U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon highlighted the challenges posed by a California Senate bill that made prosecuting 14- and 15-year-olds nearly impossible, leading organized crime groups like the Sinaloa Cartel to exploit this loophole. However, the severe sentence handed down to the teenagers sends a strong message that juveniles involved in criminal activities on behalf of cartels will face significant consequences.

Gordon emphasized the importance of deterring the recruitment of juveniles by cartels and gangs, stating, “No to the Sinaloa Cartel recruiting juveniles. No to the Mexican Mafia directing gangland hits in San Diego. No to a lack of consequences for juveniles who would do their bidding.”

Three associates of the Sinaloa Cartel who were implicated in the conspiracy to kill the target alongside the teenagers have also been indicted and were set to appear in court.

The case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of gang involvement and organized crime, particularly for impressionable young individuals who can easily fall prey to criminal organizations. The sentencing of Nunez and Quintero underscores the need for stringent measures to combat the recruitment of juveniles by cartels, ensuring that they face accountability for their actions.