Marissa Perez, a 25-year-old pregnant woman from Artesia, California, tragically lost her life on December 29, 2022. She was fatally shot while on her way to a birthday party with her father. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Pioneer and Artesia boulevards. Marissa was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle when a driver pulled up next to them and began shooting. She was struck multiple times, including once in the head. Marissa was expecting a child in June, and her family described her as a loving and caring person who always wore her heart on her sleeve.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has been investigating the case, and they do not believe the shooting was a random act. The family of Marissa Perez has been left devastated by the loss, and a memorial filled with flowers and heartfelt messages has been set up at the site of the shooting.
Her mother, Sandra Tolentino, expressed her grief and disbelief, stating that Marissa had so much life ahead of her and was looking forward to becoming a mother.
In the months following the incident, authorities identified and arrested a suspect in connection with Marissa's death. Manuel Ortiz Jr. was extradited from Washington state to California after being arrested by Kalispel Tribal Police on an unrelated charge. Ortiz is accused of fatally shooting Marissa Perez and has been charged with her murder. His bail was set at over $6 million. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department continues to seek information from the public to aid in their efforts to bring justice for Marissa and her family.
