The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is actively seeking the public's assistance to identify two individuals deemed as persons of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of a 66-year-old businessman in Cerritos. According to KTLA, Cuauhtemoc Garcia was shot while on his usual walk along the Coyote Creek bike path on February 25.
Detectives have yet to completely determine the motive behind Garcia's murder but have shared an image of a man and a woman present in the area during the time of the crime. The pair were observed following Garcia and are currently considered people of interest, with the sheriff's department urging those who might be able to identify them to come forward. FOX 11 reported that the woman appeared "tense, clutching her purse and wearing a face mask," and along with the man, was seen running at times before catching up to Garcia. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene following the encounter.
Garcia's wife Michelle Garcia shared in an interview obtained by FOX 11 that her husband was a successful businessman and the patriarch of a loving family. He held a passion for good food, which inspired him to maintain a rigorous walking routine, equating to 10 miles daily.
The LASD has not only released a photo of the couple but is also offering anonymity for those wishing to provide information but prefer to maintain their privacy. According to CBS News Los Angeles, Garcia's loved ones have taken to the streets, distributing flyers and hoping that someone will recognize the people of interest. Anyone with details about the incident is asked to call LASD Homicide Detective Louie Aguilera or Detective Yoon Nam at 323-890-5500, or LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
