A 21 year old newspaper salesman is shot in a parking lot
Eric Velasquez, a 21-year-old college student and Los Angeles Times salesman, was fatally shot on March 7, 1994, outside an apartment complex on Ojai Road in Santa Paula, California. Velasquez had just left a friend’s apartment when he was confronted and shot by an unknown assailant. Despite years of investigation, the case remains unsolved. Eric's family continues to seek justice, and a $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
Eric was well-liked in his community, and his tragic death left a profound impact on his family and friends. Every year, his mother visits the Santa Paula Police Department, hoping for progress in the investigation. Authorities have repeatedly asked for public assistance in providing any details that could help solve the case. Despite this, and despite the reward, the identity of the perpetrator remains unknown.
The circumstances of Eric's death are emblematic of the struggles faced by many families dealing with unsolved homicides in California. Law enforcement and victim advocacy groups continue to raise awareness about Eric's case, and they hope that renewed attention and the reward might finally lead to justice after all these years.
