Los Angeles County supervisors have renewed and raised the reward for information in the cold-case killing of 4-year-old Salvador Esparza III, pushing the total to $85,000 as his family steps up public pleas for new leads in the 2016 shooting in unincorporated Altadena.
Another $10,000 has been added to the reward pool, bringing it to $85,000, as reported by ABC7. The motion to reestablish and increase the reward was introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and appeared on the Board of Supervisors' June 9 agenda, according to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The case in brief
On July 5, 2016, Salvador "Chavita" Esparza III was found shot on the front porch of a home in the 300 block of West Figueroa Drive in unincorporated Altadena and later died. County records describe the shooting as a suspected gang-related attack, and the case remains unsolved, according to Los Angeles County.
Family reaction
Salvador's grandmother, Juana Esparza, said the family is clinging to the hope that the renewed reward will finally shake loose crucial information. She said they want someone to come forward "and give us answers that can bring justice and peace to my family," as reported by ABC7. Relatives have repeatedly called on witnesses to speak with investigators in the years since the killing.
Why now and past reward history
County officials have steadily increased and extended the reward over the years, starting at $20,000 in 2016 and later raising it to $25,000 in 2021, $50,000 in 2022 and $75,000 in 2023, in an effort to revive leads, according to CBS LA. The latest action formally renews the offer and tacks on another $10,000 in hopes that money will motivate someone with knowledge of the crime to finally speak up.
How to report tips
Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau. The county notice lists Sergeant Domenick Recchia at (323) 890-5500 as the point of contact for this case. Details on how reward claims are processed are handled by the Board's Executive Office and are outlined on Los Angeles County and in the official notice.
