Victim Dies from Gunshot Wound

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, July 6, 1999
On Monday, July 5, 1999, at 1:50 a.m., Devonshire Area officers responded to a citizen call of shots fired in the area of 8800 Independence Avenue, in Canoga Park. Officers responded to the location and could not locate a victim. A short while later a second call indicated a shooting victim had been transported by friends from the area of the original radio call, to Northridge Hospital. The victim expired at the hospital at approximately 4:30 a.m. as a result of a gunshot wound in the lower body.

Devonshire Area Homicide personnel responded and conducted the crime scene investigation and interviewed various witnesses. Despite several interviews the description of the suspect(s) and a possible suspect vehicle remain unclear at this time. The motive for the shooting is unknown and remains under investigation.

The victim has been identified as Francisco Escobar, a 17 year old resident of Canoga Park. Anyone in the community with any information regarding the circumstances of this murder is encouraged to contact the Devonshire Area Homicide Unit at 818-756-8291.

For Release 9:00 am PDT
July 6, 1999