Pacoima: On Monday, January 28, 2002, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Foothill Area patrol officers responded to a shooting call on Laurel Canyon Boulevard at the 118 Freeway. The officers discovered a male lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The victim was identified as Jesse Sinka, 20 years of age, a resident of Pacoima. The victim is a documented gang member.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking on the west side of Laurel Canyon Boulevard when he was approached by unknown suspects in an unknown type vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle engaged the victim in a conversation and shot the victim for an unknown reason. The suspects then fled the location in their vehicle.

The motive for the murder is possibly gang related. The suspects and weapon are not in custody.

Anyone with information should contact the Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill Homicide Detectives at 818-834-3115 or 818-834-3112 during daytime hours. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.