Los Angeles: On Sunday, July 21, 2002, at approximately 6:50 p.m., 23 year-old West Covina resident Frank Ignacio Salinas was a passenger in a compact vehicle with two friends, traveling southbound on Interstate 5 approaching Mission Hills.

A second vehicle pulled up alongside the car Salinas was riding in and a verbal altercation ensued between the two vehicle’s occupants. Approaching the 405 interchange, several shots were fired by one of the male Hispanics inside the second vehicle, and Salinas was struck once in the upper body.

The driver of the gunshot victim exited the freeway at Sunland Boulevard as the shooting suspect’s vehicle continued south on the Interstate 5. LAFD paramedics responded and Salinas was transported to Providence Holy Cross Hospital where he was pronounced dead on July 22, 2002 at 2:06 a.m.

Los Angeles Police Officers assigned to the Foothill Area Community Police Station, upon receiving a description of the suspect’s vehicle, conducted a traffic stop on a similar vehicle at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Sheldon Street. Two male Hispanics were detained and remain under investigation. The crime appears to be gang related.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is urged to contact detectives at 818-756-8291. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL.

This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.