Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 1, 1994                   TAG: 9404010153
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From The New York Times and The Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Medium

2 CHARGED IN MURDERS OF JAPANESE STUDENTS

Raymond Oscar Butler, 18, of San Pedro, and Alberto Reygoza, 20, of Long Beach, were arrested in the San Pedro area, Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams announced at a televised press conference late Wednesday night.

The two suspects will be charged with murder and robbery in the attack Friday night on two Marymount College students, Takuma Ito and Go Matsuura, both 19.

Butler and Reygoza are believed to be gang members, Williams said.

The victims' fathers thanked police Thursday for tracking down the suspects, then suggested that Americans should stop shooting people.

"This is the news we have been waiting for," a downcast Shuji Matsuura said at a news conference.

"We also understand it will take months for the final prosecution, which will be in your hands. We will quietly wait for your decision."

Both fathers urged an end to violent crime in the Los Angeles area.

"The violent crime by handguns has spread so deeply . . . only American people can change the situation - not by anyone else," said Matsuura, who spoke in English.

Through an interpreter, Akihiro Ito also called for an end to violence in the United States. The families hope the arrests will "put our sons to rest somewhat," he said.

The slayings prompted the Los Angeles police union to take down billboards it had posted depicting a carjacker aiming his gun at a woman motorist. The billboards were part of the Police Protective League's campaign to negotiate a pay raise by showing how dangerous the city would be without the police force.