A West Covina man was recently charged for his role in the death of his 16-year-old companion who was shot as they tried to rob partygoers in Covina last month, police said on Monday, Sept. 8.

One partygoer fired at the two, authorities said, fatally hitting Joel Mercado of La Puente in the chest.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, Sept. 3, filed one count of murder and one count of second-degree robbery against Jacob Anthony Lara, 21, court records show.

The shooting and robbery happened the night of Aug. 16 on Peachtree Lane, which was around the corner from a house party, Covina police Detective Oswaldo Preciado said.

Lara borrowed a black Tesla Model 3 and drove with Mercado and another teen to the house party, Preciado said. Police say they believe

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