Juan Zarate Flores, a 42-year-old Latino, was tragically killed on October 17, 2011, in Wilmington, Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County coroner's records, Flores was walking on the 900 block of Lakme Street around 8:45 p.m. when he was approached by two Latino men. The assailants, armed with a pistol and a shotgun, began shooting at Flores, causing him to collapse to the ground.
Despite being rushed to a Long Beach hospital, Flores was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The shooters were last seen fleeing the scene in a white-colored sedan, driving eastbound on Opp Street. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched an investigation into the murder but struggled to identify a motive for the shooting. The case remains unsolved, with no arrests made or suspects identified. The LAPD has urged anyone with information about the killing to contact Harbor area detectives or Crime Stoppers to provide anonymous tips.
The murder of Juan Zarate Flores remains a cold case, with investigators continuing to seek leads that could bring justice to his family. The lack of a clear motive and the swift escape of the assailants have made it challenging for law enforcement to make significant progress in the case. The community and authorities hope that new information will eventually surface, leading to the apprehension of those responsible for this senseless act of violence.
