Teen Kills Officer at Random to Impress Gang

Valentino Mitchell Arenas, 16, confessed to randomly shooting and killing California Highway Patrol Officer Thomas Steiner, 35. He wanted to kill a cop , any cop, to impress a street gang so they would take him as a member. Yesterday, Arenas pleaded guilty to first-degree murder before West Covina Superior Court Judge Thomas Fall and he will be sentenced in January. Because of his age, Arenas is not eligible for the death penalty. It's expected he'll be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Officer Steiner worked out of the Santa Fe Springs office and patrolled the highways in eastern Los Angeles County. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.

Condolences to the family and friends of Thomas Steiner.