Arrest Made In Deshawnda Sanchez Murder

The last moments of 21 year old Deshawnda Sanchez's all too brief life were engaged in a frantic early morning search for help in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood before she was gunned down December 3.

One break was that a neighbor's  security camera caught the perp getting out of a car, running toward the porch, and running back moments later to get in the car before it makes a high speed departure.

That video probably led to the announcement made by LA police that 30 year old Robert James Spells was arrested in connection to the Sanchez murder.

Spells, who according to an LA Times report has been convicted of various offenses, including robbery, being a felon with a firearm and possession of a controlled substance, was picked up Wednesday on a parole violation by US marshals at a relative's home.

LAPD Det. Chris Barling said Spells knew Sanchez but declined to discuss the nature of their relationship.  It is unclear whether Sanchez was targeted because of her gender identity, but it is believed to be a contributing factor in the attack.

“In this case, it is not clear-cut,” Barling said. “I think hate was used by Mr. Spells in killing Deshawnda.”

While it is unclear whether prosecutors will try to prosecute this case as a hate crime, what is clear is that Spells is not only facing a criminal count of murder in Sanchez's death, he is also expected to be charged with human trafficking over allegations he sexually assaulted an 11 year old girl and forced her into prostitution in a separate case.

We're one step closer to seeing our fallen sister receive justice in this case.