ALTADENA, CA – Los Angeles County authorities are renewing their desperate plea for answers exactly a decade after a 4-year-old boy was tragically killed by a stray bullet on his own doorstep.
A Decade-Long Search for Justice
On July 5, 2016, young Salvador Esparza was standing in the doorway of his Altadena home when gunfire erupted outside. Investigators revealed that an unknown shooter was chasing someone through the family’s yard when the fatal shots were fired.
Despite a rigorous 10-year investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), the gunman has never been identified, and no arrests have been made.
Family Continues to Mourn
For Salvador’s family, the passage of a decade has not healed the wound. His grandmother, Juana Esparza, shared the ongoing pain the family endures daily. “My grandson was taken away from us, and it’s been really hard on us,” she stated. “Every single day I pray.”
Authorities Plead for Public Help
L.A. County officials are offering an $85,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized that someone in the community holds the key to solving this cold case. “Someone knows who pulled the trigger,” Sheriff Luna said. “Someone knows the truth, and today we are asking those individuals to step up to the plate and do the right thing.”
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger added that even details that seem minor or insignificant to a citizen could be the “missing link” investigators need to finally close the case.
How to Provide Anonymous Tips
Authorities stress that the reward money is still fully available to individuals who wish to remain completely anonymous.
- Tip Line: Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
- Anonymity: You do not have to give your name to eligible for the reward.
