Zachary Estevan Morrison, a 28-year-old resident of Lakewood, California, was tragically shot and killed on May 28, 2018. The incident occurred in the 12100 block of 207th Street, a location near Artesia High School's sports fields. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, neighbors initially mistook the sound of gunfire for fireworks around 9:40 p.m. Morrison was found lying in the parkway between the sidewalk and the curb. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:55 p.m., on what was his 28th birthday. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation into Morrison's death revealed that he had been walking in the area, approximately 1.5 miles from his home. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, there were no immediate descriptions of the shooter or information on whether the suspect was on foot or in a vehicle. The only leads available were from ear witnesses who heard the shots. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted that Morrison had ties to a gang in Lakewood, but it remained unclear if his murder was gang-related.
Morrison's past also came under scrutiny during the investigation. In November 2009, he had been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of James Arrecis, a 24-year-old resident of Paramount, which occurred on March 2, 2009, in Brea. Although the murder charge against Morrison was dismissed in November 2012, he pleaded guilty to participating in criminal street gang activity on the day of Arrecis's death and was sentenced to three years in state prison. His co-defendant, Peter Albert Baltazar, was convicted of Arrecis's murder.
Despite these past legal troubles, the investigation into Morrison's own death has not yielded significant progress. The authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in solving the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau continues to seek leads, and Crime Stoppers has been involved to facilitate anonymous tips. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the case remains open, with investigators working diligently to uncover the truth behind Morrison's untimely death.
