Reyes Announces $50,000 Reward in Highland Park Shooting

(Photo of victim Freddy Carranza displayed at press conference)

Councilmember Ed P. Reyes today announced a $50,000 reward today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons involved in the fatal shooting of Freddy Carranza, 26, in the Highland Park community.

“If we don’t capture the persons who have committed this heinous crime they are bound to do it again,” Reyes said at the press conference at the LAPD Northeast Community Police Station. “If you know someone who heard something, or saw something that could help us, $50,000 is there for you. Please step forward for peace in our community.”

Reyes was joined by LAPD Northeast Division homicide detectives and family members of the victim, including his sister Cindy Martinez, who tearfully described Freddy as a "very peaceful person" who wanted to become a mechanic.

“My brother was a very peaceful person,” said Martinez, at the press conference. “He didn’t believe in violence. He was very kind. He loved his family, his friends. He didn’t deserve this. Nobody deserves this.”

Carranza was fatally shot on March 11, 2008 during a drive-by shooting, according to LAPD Northeast homicide detectives. A gunman inside of a vehicle opened fired on him while he was standing in a second floor hallway of an apartment building at about 8:30 p.m. in the 200 block of North Avenue 53, police said.

Carranza was found lying on the second-floor breezeway of an apartment complex, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest, police said. Paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter, pronounced the victim dead, police said.

Carranza had just returned from the movies and stopped by to visit friends. While he was talking to friends under a covered breezeway, a gunman along with three other men in a small black compact vehicle drove by, fired a shot, striking Carranza, police said.

The suspects are described only as male Hispanics, approximately 18-21 years of age and possible gang members. The victim was not a gang member, police said.

Anyone with information about this murder is asked to contact Northeast Division homicide detectives at 213-847-4261. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website, http://www.lapdonline.org/. All tips may remain anonymous.

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