Erick Ortega has been named a person of interest by police in Friday’s fatal shooting in Redondo Beach, Calif., which left 38-year-old Bobby Reynolds dead.
It is unclear at this time what the motive was for the shooting, which occurred around 8 p.m. Friday, however police believe
Ortega might be able to shed some light on the incident, KABC-TV Los Angeles reported.
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"It appears as though (Reynolds) was specifically targeted. This was not a drive-by shooting," Redondo Beach Police Capt. Jeff Hink told KABC-TV. "He was completely defenseless when this happened, so it's really a shame for him and his family. Obviously we want to clear this up and get someone in custody as soon as we can. It starts with contacting this person of interest Mr. Ortega."
Police say a gunman was seen jumping into a Chrysler 300, along with another man, before apparently dumping the vehicle a few blocks away. The car, which authorities recovered shortly after the shooting, is owned by Ortega.
Having a long criminal record that includes robbery and narcotics offenses, Ortega, a suspected gang member, is known by many area law enforcement, KABC-TV reports.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help to find Ortega; his whereabouts are currently unknown. Police say Ortega is easily recognizable due to the amount of tattoos that cover his body and head.
At the moment, police have yet to find any connection between Ortega and the victim.
"They've left a woman without a husband, two kids without their daddy, and a mother and father without a son," the victim's mother-in-law, Margaret, told KABC.
Reynolds was found shot outside the mother-in-law's house before being taken to Harbor General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
"Not even 10 minutes after he left the door here, I heard pop, pop, pop," Margaret added.
According to the victim’s family, Reynolds is not a gang member.
Family members tell reporters that Reynolds was devoted to his 8-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter and that they cannot understand why he would be targeted in what appeared to be a gang shooting, KABC reports.
"Somebody will come forward and say that they saw somebody," Margaret added. "We hope they get him."
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