Efrain Murillo, a 28-year-old resident of Duarte, California, tragically lost his life on February 8, 2016. According to coroner’s records, Murillo was shot multiple times while sitting in the driver’s seat of his car in the 800 block of Lewiston Street. The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. as Murillo and a friend were listening to music in the driveway of a home. As his friend stepped out of the car to retrieve something from the backyard, an unknown assailant approached from behind and fired several rounds into the vehicle, striking Murillo in the torso. Despite the immediate response, Murillo was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:14 p.m. His friend, who was not injured, is believed to have gang affiliations, although Murillo himself was not involved in gang activities. Investigators suspect the shooting was gang-related but have limited information on the suspect. A car was seen leaving the area around the time of the shooting, but its connection to the incident remains unclear.
The investigation into Murillo’s death has faced significant challenges due to the lack of cooperation from the community. Detective Bill Cotter of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted that the neighborhood is notoriously tight-lipped, making it difficult to gather witness statements or leads. Despite the broad daylight nature of the crime, no one has come forward with information. Murillo, who grew up in Duarte, had known his friend since grade school. At the time of his death, Murillo’s girlfriend was five months pregnant with their first child, adding a layer of personal tragedy to the case.
As of now, there have been no arrests or significant breakthroughs in the investigation. The authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers to provide anonymous tips. The case remains open, with investigators hoping for new leads that could bring justice for Murillo and his family. The lack of suspect information and the community’s reluctance to speak out have been major obstacles in solving this case.
