The Los Angeles Police Department and city officials are putting up a $50,000 reward in a renewed bid to find whoever fatally shot 26-year-old Juan Cuevas in Koreatown. Cuevas was shot on Jan. 9, 2019, while standing in front of a driveway, then ran to a nearby liquor store seeking help. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, and the killing has remained unsolved ever since.
The reward was authorized through a City Council motion introduced by Councilmember Hugo Soto‑Martinez, which instructs the City Clerk to publish the offer and caps the total payout at $50,000 over six months. The renewed push for tips surfaced Friday in local media coverage, including reporting by KTLA.
What detectives say
West Bureau homicide detectives say they have kept the case active, tracking down witnesses and combing through video evidence, but still have not identified a suspect. At the time of the shooting, Cuevas was not known to be a documented gang member, according to earlier reporting. Investigators have repeatedly canvassed the neighborhood and reviewed surveillance footage in an effort to shake loose new leads in the cold case.
Suspect, vehicle, and scene
According to investigators, the shooter climbed out of the passenger side of a dark-colored vehicle, opened fire on Cuevas, then took off on foot before later getting back into the car. Witnesses described that vehicle as a dark 2016–2018 Honda Accord, per KTLA. The shooting happened at about 10:25 p.m. on the 4700 block of Beverly Boulevard, and Cuevas collapsed after running to a liquor store for help, according to a motion filed with the City Clerk.
How to help
Anyone with information is urged to contact LAPD West Bureau Homicide at (213) 382-9470. During non-business hours or on weekends, callers can use the department’s toll-free line at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247), per LAPD West Bureau Homicide. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or online.
Cold-case push
Officials say that cash rewards have, in some past cases, nudged reluctant witnesses to speak up and generated fresh leads in long-stalled investigations. This latest offer is part of a broader pattern of using public incentives to revive interest in unsolved killings. In this case, investigators and council members are hoping that one solid tip will finally break the seven-year silence surrounding this Koreatown killing.
