Murder Charges Filed in Wilmington “Summer Night Lights” Murder NR24048cm/dm

Wilmington: The Los Angeles Police Department’s South Bureau Homicide detectives announce the arrest of two suspects responsible for the murder of Jose Quezada.

On July 27th, 2023, Quezada was shot and killed at the Wilmington Recreation Center while volunteering at the “Summer Night Lights” community gathering in the 300 block of North Neptune Avenue.

Investigators identified Sergio Esteban, a 28-year-old resident of San Pedro, as one of the suspects responsible for the shooting of Quezada. On December 6, 2023, Esteban was arrested for the murder of Quezada and booked at the Los Angeles Police Department 77th Jail for 187(A)PC- Murder, under booking number 6722047. Esteban is being held on $2,010,000.00 bail.

On December 8, 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Esteban for the murder of Quezada.

Investigators also identified Estevan Hernandez, a 27-year old resident of San Pedro, as the second suspect responsible for the shooting of Quezada. On December 18th, 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Hernandez for the murder of Quezada. Hernandez was not in police custody and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

With assistance from the LAPD-FBI Fugitive task force, Hernandez was located in Mexico and arrested on January 31, 2024, by Mexican authorities. Hernandez was turned over to the LAPDFBI Fugitive Task Force on February 1, 2024, where he was brought back to Los Angeles, pursuant to the arrest warrant. Hernandez was booked at the Los Angeles Police Department 77th Jail for 187 (A)PC- Murder, under booking number 6752505. Hernandez is being held on $3,000,000.00 bail.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact South Bureau Homicide Division detectives at 323-786-5100. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.