Just before sunrise on an August morning in Boyle Heights, a 22-year-old man was gunned down on a neighborhood corner. Months later, Los Angeles police on Monday renewed their call for tips in the still-unsolved killing of Ruben Vergara, hoping someone will finally come forward.
Investigators say Vergara was shot at about 4 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2024, near Evergreen Boulevard and Folsom Street. Surveillance footage recovered in the case appears to show suspects pulling up in a vehicle and opening fire while Vergara stood on the sidewalk. The case remains open, and detectives say they are still working leads.
According to MyNewsLA, officers arrived to find Vergara lying on the ground in a prone position with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. The Los Angeles Fire Department treated him at the scene, but he failed to respond to medical aid and was pronounced dead where he fell.
Detectives told reporters they obtained surveillance video that appears to show suspects driving up, getting out of the vehicle, and approaching Vergara before the shots ring out. One suspect was described as a male wearing dark clothing. The getaway vehicle was described as a black Chevrolet Silverado with chrome rims. Anyone with information was urged to call the Robbery-Homicide Division-Central Bureau at 213-980-2446 and ask for Detective J. Sanchez or Detective L. Garcia.
How investigators are asking for help
For those who do not want their names attached to a police report, anonymous tips can be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or via the organization’s website. The LAPD’s Central Bureau Homicide page also lists a general homicide information line at (213) 486-8700 for people who prefer to contact the department directly.
Where this fits in Boyle Heights
Vergara’s killing landed in the middle of a violent stretch for the neighborhood. Boyle Heights recorded 23 homicides in 2023 and ranked second among Los Angeles neighborhoods for killings that year, according to Boyle Heights Beat. At the same time, citywide figures showed homicides declining in 2024, with officials pointing to a sharp drop in the Hollenbeck Division, which includes Boyle Heights, per NBC Los Angeles. The contrasting numbers highlight both progress and the lingering weight of unsolved cases like Vergara’s.
Detectives say their review of surveillance footage and other evidence is ongoing. Anyone with information about the Aug. 11, 2024, shooting is urged to contact the detectives listed above or send an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
