In Altadena, a Mother’s Grief as Authorities Offer $20,000 Reward to Find Killer of Her 4-year Old Son

 

L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau investigators made a public plea Thursday in front of the house on the 300 block of West Figueroa Dr. in Altadena where Salvador Esperanza III was killed, asking for help in locating the suspects who fatally shot and killed the 4 year old boy in the front yard. A $20,000 reward has been offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the suspect responsible.

“We don’t have much of a description right now. That night, there were quite a few people on the street so we were told that a few people saw what happened, just no one has come forward to help identify that individual,” explained L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Homicide Detective Lt. John Corina.

Four year old Salvador Esperanza III of Monrovia was with his parents on July 5 visiting a friend’s home on the corner of Olive and Figueroa in Altadena when and unknown suspect fired numerous rounds in the direction of the house killing Esparza and injuring a 27 year old black male, according to an L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. press release.

The suspect fled the scene on foot and entered a black vehicle going southbound on Olive Avenue. The suspect is only described as being a black male.

“If anybody knows any information regarding this, please, please, don’t be scared to talk. Please talk to detectives. Talk to somebody about it. I really want justice for my son,” pleaded the mother of the boy Coral Esparza.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors are offering a $20,000 reward to catch the killer.

“Supervisor Antonovich believes that this reward will help the public come forward with information and give it to detectives so we can find the person responsible for killing this four year old child,” said L.A. County Fifth District Assistant Chief Deputy Tony Bell.

Salvador Esparza was looking forward to starting kindergarten this fall.

“He was really excited to start school,” said Esparza. “It’s been hard for me as a mother to go on a daily basis without him.”

Detectives are urging people to talk to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. if they know anything at all.

“Individuals can come forward and talk to us anonymously. They can call us anonymously if they need to or they can use Crime Stoppers to call and leave a tip if they don’t want to call and leave their name,” explained Lt. Corina.

“I hope that the person that was here who saw all of this happen speaks up because an innocent life was taken. This little boy was my world. He was my everything,” said Esparza

If anyone has information, call LASD Homicide at (323) 890-5500.

To report tips, call 1.800.222.TIPS or go to www.LACrimeStopers.org or text “TIPLA” plus your tip to 274637 or CRIMES.