Two boys beaten severely in Phoenix park die

PHOENIX (AP) — The suspect in a brutal and apparently random attack of two young boys at a park will face murder charges after both victims died Friday, police said.

Edwin Pellecier and Jesse Ramirez suffered severe head injuries when they were repeatedly bludgeoned Tuesday afternoon, Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said. Seven-year-old Jesse died early Friday and his 10-year-old cousin, Edwin, was pronounced dead hours later. Police arrested Joe Sauceda Gallegos, 36, within hours of the attack Tuesday.

A first-degree murder charge was added after Jesse’s death and a second was planned after Edwin died, Thompson said.

2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.