Salvador Esparza III, a four-year-old boy from Monrovia, California, tragically lost his life on July 6, 2016, after being shot on the porch of a home in Altadena. On the evening of July 5, 2016, Salvador was visiting family friends at a residence on Figueroa Drive when he was struck by a bullet to the head. The incident occurred around 10:40 p.m., and Salvador was immediately transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. A 27-year-old man, who was also on the porch, sustained gunshot wounds but survived the attack.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was likely gang-related, although Salvador and his family were not the intended targets. The gunman, believed to have been involved in a prior altercation in the neighborhood, returned to the scene in a dark-colored sedan and fired at least 13 rounds towards the porch. The intended target may have been the boyfriend of Salvador's mother, who was present at the time of the shooting. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the case remains unsolved, and the perpetrator has not been apprehended.
In the years following Salvador's death, his family has continued to seek justice. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter to $50,000. The family has made numerous public appeals, urging anyone with information to come forward. The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting the senseless nature of the crime and the impact on Salvador's family and the community.
The investigation remains active, with authorities encouraging anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department or Crime Stoppers. Despite the passage of time, the hope for justice for Salvador Esparza III endures, as his family and the community continue to seek closure and accountability for this tragic loss.
