Reward incresed for information in the shooting death of a 4-year-old boy in Altadena (Photo – Graphics Dept.)
On Tuesday, May 3, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to extend and increase the reward amount offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person involved in the murder of four-year-old Salvador Esparza III.
By News Desk
The young boy was shot while standing on the porch of a home in Altadena on July 5, 2016. Emergency responders found him lying on the porch with a single gunshot wound to his head.
“My heart aches for Salvador’s family, their loss is unimaginable,” said Supervisor Barger. “This innocent preschooler was robbed of his potential and future. I’ve doubled the reward amount from $25,000 to $50,000 with the hope that it will lead to the arrest of the perpetrator of this terrible crime. Justice for the Esparza family must be served.”
Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo shared his sentiments as well. “Thank you, Supervisor Barger, for your leadership and support in not only extending, but also increasing the reward monies to help identify and arrest those responsible for the death of 4 year-old ‘Chavita’ Esparza. I am appealing to the public to step up and provide needed information to help us solve the horrific killing of this innocent little boy.”
The murder is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). Sergeant Dominick Recchia, a member of LASD’s Homicide Bureau, encouraged anyone with information to step forward. “Any bit of information related to this shooting is helpful and can be the missing link to solving this murder. We protect the identity of all individuals who provide tips, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We won’t rest until the person responsible for this senseless murder is arrested.”
LASD investigators believe the suspect is a gang member, and that the shooting was gang-related. Investigators also believe that the young boy and his family were not the intended target.
To report a tip or provide information related to this shooting, contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Spanish interpreters and interpreters who speak other languages are available. Tips can also be reported to the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, please consider supporting the Colorado Boulevard’s journalism.
Billionaires, hedge fund owners and local imposters have a powerful hold on the information that reaches the public. Colorado Boulevard stands to serve the public interest – not profit motives.
While fairness guides everything we do, we know there is a right and a wrong position in the fight against racism and climate crisis while supporting reproductive rights and social justice. We provide a fresh perspective on local politics – one so often missing from so-called ‘local’ journalism.
You can access Colorado Boulevard’s paywall-free journalism because of our unique reader-supported model. People like you, informed readers, keep us independent, beholden to no outside influence, and accessible to everyone.
Please consider supporting Colorado Boulevard today. Thank you. (Click to Support)
Leave a Reply