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This morning, law enforcement agencies held a press conference in the San Diego County town of La Mesa to talk about the culmination of a major investigation into the murder of 22-year-old Xusha Brown Jr. in a drive-by shooting on Interstate 8 three years ago. Police and prosecutors named three suspects at the conference, all of whom are in custody, and characterized the case as an attempted gang hit that took the life of the innocent Brown, who was not a gang member.

Last Wednesday’s early morning SWAT raid at an Arcata apartment complex was connected to this investigation, as were simultaneous raids in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

None of the three suspects named this morning — Alaeante Akila Eason, Donte Jerome Haddock and Anthony Constantine Frank — were arrested in the Arcata raid, but Captain Matt Nicholass of the La Mesa Police Department told the Outpost this morning that one of the three suspects arrested in the raid had ties to Arcata.

San Diego County Deputy District Attorney said at the press conference that her office is continues to investigate two other years-old killings in the area, both of which are also believed to be the result of a gang feud that plagued the county. 

According to news reports at the time, Brown was getting a ride home with a friend when people opened fire on the friend’s car. Brown died of a gunshot wound to the head. The friend was shot in the shoulder and later recovered. 

Eason, Haddock and Frank will be charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted premeditated murder, with the last charge pertaining to the surviving driver of the car.

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Wednesday morning’s raid at an apartment on Arcata’s H Street. Submitted photo.