Gabriel Alejandro De La Torre, a 32-year-old Latino, was tragically shot and killed on August 19, 2016, in Duarte, California. The incident occurred in the 2100 block of Broach Avenue, where De La Torre was in his backyard with relatives and friends. The situation escalated when his neighbor, Luis Valdes-Santillan, joined the group. Witnesses reported that Valdes-Santillan felt disrespected during the gathering, which led him to retrieve a handgun from his house and open fire.
De La Torre was struck in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene. No other individuals were injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, Valdes-Santillan fled the scene in his white Toyota pickup truck. Deputies quickly arrived and pursued the vehicle onto the 210 Freeway. The chase ended when Valdes-Santillan pulled over near Azusa Avenue. A handgun was found in his truck, which was later tested to determine its involvement in the shooting. Valdes-Santillan was arrested and charged with multiple counts, including murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was also charged with fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle. His arraignment was scheduled for September 13, 2016, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Alhambra Courthouse.
Gabriel De La Torre was an electrician who had immigrated from Mexico as a teenager. He was known for his friendly and helpful nature, often including his neighbor, despite the latter's temperamental behavior. De La Torre was working towards saving enough money to buy a house and start his own contracting business. He was well-loved by his family and community, having helped raise his wife Susanna Serna's three daughters and befriending a young autistic boy from a neighboring family. His untimely death left a significant impact on those who knew him.
The case against Valdes-Santillan proceeded with him being convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and multiple counts of assault with a firearm. The jury deliberated for about a day before reaching a verdict. This conviction brought some measure of justice for De La Torre's family, though the loss of Gabriel De La Torre continues to be deeply felt by his loved ones and the community.
