$25,000.00 Reward Offered For Suspect(s) Arrest

Who: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, Captain Bruce Crosley, North Hollywood Area Commanding Officer, North Hollywood Homicide Detectives, Ochoa Family Members.

What: Press Conference

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at 9:45 a.m.

Where: Corner of Agnes Avenue and Vanowen Street (crime scene location.)

Los Angeles: On Monday, April 7, 2003 at approximately 8:30 p.m., North Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to an “Assault with a Deadly Weapon” radio call at 12030 Vanowen Street. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a male lying on the street in the intersection of Agnes Avenue and Vanowen Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics. The victim was identified as Luis Espinoza Ochoa, a 28 year-old male Hispanic, who resided not far from the location where his body was discovered.

According to detectives, Ochoa’s roommates reported that Ochoa went to the liquor store to buy beer. About 30 minutes later, they heard some noise outside. When they went to investigate, they saw their friend deceased in the street. Ochoa was observed on the store surveillance system buying one beer, then leaving the store. Ochoa began to walk home on Vanowen Street, near Laurel Canyon Boulevard. He never made it home.

Ochoa is survived by his common-law wife Carmen, their three-year-old son, five brothers and his mother, who all reside in the Los Angeles area. Ochoa was employed as a full time mover for a local moving company. The motive for the shooting appears to be gang-related.

The Los Angeles City Council is offering a $25,000.00 reward for the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Hollywood Area Homicide Detectives at 818-623-4016. On weekends and during off-hours, contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detectives Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.