The hunt for justice in the brutal murder of a South Gate grandfather has escalated with the announcement of a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) Homicide Bureau announced via social media, urging the public to come forward with any leads in the case of Hector Ascencio Sr., who was gunned down at his home on September 16, 2023.

According to reports from CBS News, Ascencio, 57, met his untimely death in front of his 9-year-old granddaughter, who witnessed the tragedy unfold after her grandfather answered their front door on the 2500 block of Glenwood Place. A surveillance video captured a gray/silver four-door vehicle speeding away from the scene, which remains one of the few clues in the case.

The combined reward money, sponsored both by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the city of South Gate, reflects the gravity of a crime that has shocked the local community. "We're here today because we need to deliver that justice for the Ascencio family," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, highlighting the vicious nature of the crime and the urgency to find the culprits responsible for shattering the safety of one's home, as she spoke at a press event alongside the grieving family members.

With no arrests made to date, officials hope the reward will encourage witnesses, or anyone with information to step forward. The participating authorities plead for cooperation, as any detail that may seem insignificant could prove to be the key in solving this heinous crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LASD's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. In a community where silence is often the norm in the aftermath of violence, it’s a substantial offer, which may just break through the barrier of fear, or apathy, that so often surrounds such investigations.