Who:
Rampart Homicide Detectives

What:
News Conference

When:
Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.

Where:
Rampart Area Police Station, 2710 West Temple Street, Los Angeles

Los Angeles: On August 31, 2004, at approximately 10:35 p.m., Rampart Area patrol officers responded to shooting call at 1135 South Grandview Street . A preliminary investigation revealed that five men were standing in front of the location, when they were approached by a male Hispanic suspect. The suspect armed himself with a handgun and demanded money. During the robbery, the suspect struck one of the victims on the head with the gun and fired a shot into the street.

Prior to the robbery, 42 year-old Victor Antonio Perez Sosa had driven the robbery victims to the location and was sitting in his vehicle, double-parked, in front of 1135 South Grandview Street. Upon seeing the suspect approaching him, Mr. Sosa drove off. When Mr. Sosa returned to the location to pick up the robbery victims, the suspect reappeared and fired a single shot into Mr. Sosa’s vehicle, striking him in the upper torso.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Mr. Sosa to a local hospital. Mr. Sosa was pronounced dead a short time later.

A reward in the amount of $50,000 has been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. A composite sketch of the suspect has been prepared and will be displayed at the press conference. A representative of the victim Sosa’s family and other robbery victim’s will be present and available to the media.

Anyone with information is requested to call Rampart Area Homicide Detectives Adrian Soler and James Erwin, at 213-207-2060. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news advisory was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relation Section at 213-485-3586.