Shooting Investigation Turns Into Murder Investigation

March 27, 2007

Los Angeles: What began as a shooting investigation on Sunday evening turned into a homicide investigation after the shooting victim died of his injuries.

On March 25, 2007, at 6:50 PM, Mission Area officers responded to a assault with a deadly weapon call in the 9100 block of Tobias Avenue in Panorama City. When they arrived, police found Hector Balderas, 19, of Panorama City, lying unconscious on the sidewalk, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported Balderas to a local hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead Monday, March 26, 2007 at 12:55 PM.

Detectives believe this is a gang related shooting and they are asking for anyone with information about this crime to contact Detective Gene Parshall or John Macchiarella of Mission Area Detectives at 818-838-9810. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).