Man Shot to Death on Harbor Area Street Motive for Shooting Remains Unclear NR11487rf

Los Angeles:  Detectives are looking for public assistance in their investigation concerning the cold-blooded murder of a man who was walking down a street in LAPD’s Harbor Area.

Yesterday about 8:45 p.m., 42-year-old Juan Zarate was walking in the 900 block of Lakme Avenue when he was approached on foot by two suspects who began firing shots at him with a pistol and a shotgun.  Zarate was hit several times and collapsed in the street.  Little is known about the suspects, described only as two Hispanic males, who ran a short distance after the shooting to a white-colored sedan and then drove eastbound on Opp Street.

Los Angeles Fire Department rescue personnel responded to the incident and transported Zarate to a Long Beach hospital where he was pronounced dead.
   
Detectives are asking anyone with information about the murder to contact Harbor Area Detective Julie Scruggs or Officer Michael Villareal at 310-726-7888 or 310-726-7880.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.