Mabel Castillo, a 25-year-old Latina, was tragically shot to death on January 7, 2017, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The incident occurred in the 600 block of South Evergreen Avenue. On that fateful day, Castillo, accompanied by her boyfriend and her 4-year-old daughter, visited her ex-boyfriend's home to discuss custody arrangements. An argument ensued between Castillo and her ex-boyfriend inside his apartment.
As Castillo and her daughter were leaving, her ex-boyfriend, Jonathan Andrew Arteaga, emerged with a gun and chased them down the street. He fired several shots, wounding Castillo in the chest and her boyfriend in the arm. Fortunately, Castillo's daughter was not injured. Castillo was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m.
Following the incident, Jonathan Andrew Arteaga, a 30-year-old Latino, was arrested on January 11, 2017, in the Van Nuys area. Arteaga faced serious charges, including one count each of murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon, and child abuse. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed these charges. Arteaga's arraignment was scheduled for February 6, 2017.
The case drew significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the involvement of a young child. The Los Angeles Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, and the community was urged to provide any information that could assist in the case. Detective Jose Ramirez was a key figure in the investigation, and the public was encouraged to contact him or Crime Stoppers with any relevant information. The tragic death of Mabel Castillo highlighted the devastating impact of domestic disputes and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent further tragedies.
