Reward To Be Offered In Homicide Investigation

Los Angeles: On July 11, 2003 at approximately 2:55 a.m., officers assigned to Devonshire Area responded to a radio call regarding shots being fired in the 16700 block of Devonshire Street. Upon arrival, officers were met by LAFD paramedics, providing medical treatment to a male Hispanic found lying prone on the sidewalk. Further investigation revealed the victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The victim failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced dead at the scene. A motive for the crime remains unknown at this time. The victim was identified as Vincent Chavez III, a 21 year old resident of Granada Hills.

Despite an exhaustive investigation by the assigned detectives, the identity of the suspect(s) remains unknown. In an effort to generate additional avenues of investigation, a motion was presented to the Los Angeles City Council by Councilman Greig Smith, requesting the Council to offer a $25,000.00 reward, for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting. The motion was passed and a press conference will be held on January16, 2004, at 9:00 a.m., at the Devonshire Community Police Station located at 10250 Etiwanda Avenue, Northridge.

A representative of Councilman Smith’s office and staff officers of the Los Angeles Police Department will be in attendance. Photographs of the victim will be available to the media.

This news advisory was prepared by Officer Don Cox, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.