Authorities Extend $10,000 Award for Accused Artesia Killer

The Board of Supervisors today renewed a $10,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of a reputed gang member accused of fatally shooting a 19-year-old man in Artesia in 2013.

Supervisor Don Knabe recommended extending the reward, set to expire March 1, in hopes of tracking down alleged killer Boren Lay.

About 1:15 a.m. on July 27, 2013, Lay and four of his gang associates allegedly confronted a group in a restaurant in the 11600 block of South Street.

Subscribe to News Alerts and Daily Email Newsletter for Cerritos-Artesia Patch

Someone in the group called Timothy Teopaco for help. When Teopaco arrived, the gang members were driving out of the restaurant parking lot and Lay, armed with a large-caliber revolver, allegedly fired at Teopaco.

A bullet struck Teopaco in the stomach and he was pronounced dead a few hours later at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Teopaco’s family said he was a former gang member who was turning his life around after the birth of his son.

“He had a bad past,” his sister Christine Teopaco told the Los Angeles Times. “But that didn’t define who he was.”

Anyone with information about the fugitive’s whereabouts was asked to call sheriff’s homicide Detective Brandt House at (323) 890-5500. Callers may remain anonymous.

• City News Service