Man Arrested in Connection with Valley Murder NR12517an

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Detectives assigned to Robbery Homicide Division have made an arrest in the June 17, 2012, shooting death of Armando Casillas.

On June 17, 2012, around 11:15 p.m., Mission Area patrol officers were flagged down by citizens in the 14000 block of Beaver Street in Sylmar. Officers were directed to a 38-year-old Sylmar resident, Armando Casillas, who was suffering from a gunshot wound. Casillas was transported to Providence Holy Cross Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A second victim was shot at by the assailant at the time of the homicide. The second victim was not injured.

Mission Homicide detectives began to investigate the murder and developed leads that possibly connected a deputy sheriff to the crime. As the case progressed, Robbery Homicide Division assumed primary investigative responsibility because the suspect was a possible deputy sheriff.  On November 14, 2012, working in partnership with Mission Homicide Detectives, Robbery Homicide Division Detectives arrested 41-year-old Francisco Gamez for murder. Francisco Gamez is a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Gamez was later booked for murder and the additional charges of attempted murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Gamez was booked into the 77th Street Jail and held on four million dollars bail.

Detectives are preparing the case for filing with the District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to call Robbery Homicide Division, Detectives Louis Zorrilla or Maria Perez at 213-486-6890. 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 (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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”