Reward Offered for the Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Murder

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, June 23, 1999
Rampart Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting death of Teresa Del Rio, a Hispanic female, 20 years of age. Ms. Del Rio was a psychology student at Glendale Community College.

On Sunday, June 6, 1999 at approximately 11:55 p.m., victim Teresa Del Rio and three friends were visiting acquaintances in the area of Commonwealth Avenue and Melrose Avenue. Victim Del Rio and her friends entered her vehicle and proceeded to drive southbound on Commonwealth Avenue. As they approached Clinton Street, they observed the suspect walking on the sidewalk, northbound on Commonwealth Avenue. The suspect produced a gun and fired multiple times at the victim’s vehicle. One of the suspect’s gunshots penetrated the vehicle and struck victim Del Rio in the left torso. Another gunshot struck a parked vehicle at the location. The suspect fired several more times at the victim’s vehicle. One of the gunshots penetrated a residence in the area, which was occupied by several young children. Del Rio’s friends placed the injured victim in the rear seat of the car and drove to Queen of Angels Hospital, where she underwent surgery and ultimately expired from her gunshot wound.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, short dark hair, 5’8" to 6’0" tall, 170-180 pounds, small mustache, 20-25 years of age. The suspect was wearing a dark and white flannel shirt and dark baggy pants.

The motive for this murder is still under investigation. However, Preliminary investigation tends to show the crime is most likely gang related.

A press conference will be held on Thursday, June 24, 1999, at 1300 hours, at Rampart/Operations Support Division, located at 303 South Union Avenue, Los Angeles. A $10,000 reward has been posted by the Los Angeles City Council for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Representatives of the Del Rio family will be present at the press conference. The victim’s parents, Mr. Fernando Del Rio and Mrs. Anna Del Rio are employees of KABC.

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For Release 9:10 am PST
June 23, 1999