By Jorge Casuso

February 9 -- Hailing it as a turning point in Santa Monica’s effort to combat gang violence, police on Thursday announced the arrest of eight members of a West Los Angeles gang for a string of shootings that included the murders of Eddie Lopez and Miguel Martin.

The suspects were involved in the two homicides last year, as well as several attempted homicides and numerous drive-by shootings that began more than two years ago with a high-profile incident near an elementary school, police said.

Flanked by members of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles police departments and the District Attorneys office, Police Chief Tim Jackman praised the hard work that helped “solve these acts of gang violence” during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

“The murders and shootings engaged in by the suspects in this case are acts of depravity that have terrorized parts of our community,” Jackman told the top City officials, television news crews and reporters gathered in the City Council Chambers.

“The pain and heartache suffered over the last two years has been almost unfathomable,” Jackman said. “People throughout Santa Monica have felt unsafe and have had their lives directly affected by these shootings.”

Capt. Carol J. Aborn-Khoury, the West Los Angeles area commanding officer, said the arrests could prove to be a turning point “that could lead us to a path of justice.”

“This may be the beginning of the end of these feuds,” Aborn-Khoury said.

Police served four search and arrest warrants in West Los Angeles and one in Venice Wednesday night and Thursday morning, leading to the arrest of six of the suspects and the recovery of guns, rifles and a shotgun, police said.

Two additional suspects were already in custody, police said. Seven of the suspects are Hispanic and one is white. Three are juveniles.

Jose Zapien, 18, of Los Angeles, is charged with the murder last February of Lopez, a popular 15-year-old Samohi student whose shooting outside a mini mart rocked the city.

Zapien is also charged with the murder last December of Martin, a 22-year-old Santa Monica resident who was trying to turn his life around, as well as with nine counts of attempted murder and gang conspiracy.

A 15-year-old female also is charged with one count of murder.

The six other suspects face charges that include attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm. All eight suspects -- who range in age from 15 to 22 -- are charged with gang conspiracy.

LA County Deputy District Attorney Richard Doyle praised the departments for “a fine piece of police work.”

“They have single-handedly stopped a crime spree that could have gone on for who knows how long,” said Doyle, who is the director of specialized prosecutions for the DA’s office.

Top City officials called the arrests a major breakthrough in Santa Monica's efforts to curb gang violence, which continues to plague the Pico Neighborhood.

“It’s huge,” said Mayor Richard Bloom, one of four council members who attended the press conference. “It’s a crime wave we’re putting a stop to.”

“This is a major day for our city,” said Mayor Pro Tem Herb Katz. “It sends a message to gangs outside our city. If they come in, we’re going to get them, and we’re going to stop them.”

“This means safer streets in all of Santa Monica,” said Council member Kevin McKeown. “This is good news for every kid in Santa Monica.”

The arrests came after an intensive investigation launched by Santa Monica police in cooperation with LAPD’s West LA and Pacific divisions, as well as attorneys from the DA’s Specialized Prosecution Unit, which includes the Hardcore Gang Division.

Jackman, who took office December 11, attributed the investigation’s success to having “just a lot of boots on the ground shaking a lot of trees. All of the sudden, things start falling out of them.”

Jackman said he has “walked the neighborhood 15 to 20 times to encourage people to talk to us.” He added that there was “much better cooperation in the community” after Martin was gunned down two days after Christmas in Virginia Avenue Park.

“When Miguel was shot, it upset an awful lot of people, and we got a lot of cooperation from people who had not cooperated before,” Jackman said.

In addition to the two murders, the suspects were tied to a string of shootings that began in September 2004 near Edison Elementary School in the Pico Neighborhood, police said.

The incident involved suspected Los Angeles gang members who chased down a victim riding a bike, yelled what police believe was a Santa Monica gang name and fired 14 rounds across the street from the schoolyard where children were playing.

In another shooting, the same suspects drove by and fired several gunshots at a couple seated in their vehicle and fled, police said. The victims were not injured.

The suspects also were responsible for a drive-by shooting in which a young woman was shot in the leg as she walked into her apartment complex, according to police.

In addition to Zapien and the 15-year-old female, who was charged with murder, one count of conspiracy to shoot into an inhabited dwelling, two counts of attempted murder and gang conspiracy, police arrested the following suspects:

Andres Castillo, 18, of Los Angeles was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy.

Jon Carrillo, 19, of Los Angeles is charged with attempted murder and gang conspiracy.

Victor Torres, 22, of Los Angeles was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy.

Noah Farris, 22, a white male of Los Angeles is charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon and gang conspiracy.

A male juvenile, 17, of Los Angeles was previously charged with assault with a deadly weapon, Grand Theft Auto, possession of a firearm and gang conspiracy.

A male juvenile, 15, of Los Angeles was arrested for conspiracy and gang conspiracy.

The families of the two murder victims said they never lost faith that the killers would be caught.

The police “are always keeping touch with us, always telling us they’re on the case,” said Daniel Lopez, Eddie’s older brother, who was wearing a t-shirt showing Eddie running with the ball in his football uniform and the words “intercepted.” “That’s why I had no doubt.

“The community was really helpful,” he said. “I’m glad we have this kind of community.”

Eddie’s mother, Armita Lopez, got a call from Lt. Alex Padilla at 2 p.m. Thursday to tell her the news her son’s killers had been caught.

“It was like a shock. I didn’t expect it,” she said. “It reminded me a lot of the death of my son. I think (the arrests) are good. I hope it helps stop the violence.”

“We have to stop” the killings, said Lucio Martin, Miguel’s father. “It destroys families.”

Lt. Padilla, who is the department's spokesman, stood in the chamber long after the media crews and City officials had cleared out and talked to the families.

“We all grew up here, we’re all in this together,” Padilla said. “ We’ve seen our friends become victims of violent crime.

“We have to keep digging,” he said. “It’s not over ‘til it’s over. There’s still some work ahead of us. We’re going to put some closure to this,” he said of the upcoming trial.

“The streets will be a little safer. Nobody should have to live in fear.”

Anyone having additional information regarding any of the shootings should contact the Robbery/Homicide unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8451 or the Watch Commander’s Office at 310.458.8427.

Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also call the WeTip national hotline at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463). Callers with information that leads to an arrest and conviction become eligible for a reward up to $1,000.