Homicide Detectives, County Officials Renew Call For Justice in Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Boy in Altadena

Homicide detectives this week are renewing their plea to the public for information that could help solve the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old boy in the doorway of his home in Altadena over four years ago.

Salvador “Chavita” Esparza III was killed by gunfire about 10:20 p.m. on July 5, 2016, at his family’s home in the 300 block of Figueroa Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Salvador was just an innocent victim who was caught in the crossfire of a gang-related incident,” said Deputy Morgan Arteaga of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

A 27-year-old man described by investigators at the time as a family friend was also seriously wounded in the attack.

The only description that has been given was that the shooter or shooters may have fled the scene in a black or dark-colored sedan.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors renewed a $20,000 reward in connection with the unsolved case in late-October.

“The County of Los Angeles has reestablished the $20,000 reward offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the heinous murder of 4-year-old Salvador Esparza, who was fatally shot and found lying on his front porch,” according to the reward notice.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.