An Arrest is Made One Year After Murder

It has been over a year since Guillermo Elisea, 23, was shot and killed near the intersection of California Avenue and Tenaya Avenue in South Gate. The police is still investigating the murder, but have arrested a suspect.

“We have a suspect in custody, who is being charged with murder,” said Sargent Howard Cooper from the Homicide Bureau of The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “But we believe that there is at least one other person involved with this event.”

The suspect, Eduardo Rodriguez, 19, was arrested on April 20^th and is expected to appear in court in the next few weeks.  His suspected involvement in the murder of Elisea stemmed from a joint investigation with the

“We eventually gained enough information, so we filed a case against [Rodriguez] with the district attorney,” said Sgt. Cooper.

Elisea was pronounced dead on May 10, 2011 after receiving a gunshot to his torso near the entrance of his apartment building. The site where he was shot still has several candles in his memory. Former neighbors of Elisea remember him fondly.

“We were very sorry to hear about his death,” said Hilda Cervantes, who works at a mini mart owned by her brother, which is situated near the site where the shooting took place. "[Elisea] was always very nice to us.”

Elisea’s immediate family was said to have been deeply affected, and moved away from South Gate shortly after his death, said Saul Vargas, 54, an uncle of Elisea. 

Vargas is still grieving from the death of his nephew, whom he was very close to.

“His death has affected me a lot,” said Vargas, who had celebrated his own birthday with Elisea two days prior to his death. “He was always with me.”

The motive behind the shooting is still unknown, and investigators cannot confirm if it was gang related.

“The people involved maybe have been affiliated with gangs in the neighborhood, “ said Sgt. Cooper. “The fact that the shooting took place may or may not have to do with gang affiliation.”

Vargas believes that the shooting was not a gang hit.

“My nephew was not a gang member,” said Vargas, who added that this was the case despite  the fact this nephew did have some friends that were part of gangs. “I do not know why this happened to him.”

Detectives are moving forward with their investigation, and are asking the public to provide them with any information on this crime.

“We are seeking assistance from anyone with information,” said Sgt. Cooper. “We believe that there are other suspects involved.”

Anyone with information should contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted athttp://lacrimestoppers.org or by texting the letters TIPLA along with your tip to CRIMES (274637). 

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