Full Notification

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau detectives have made three arrests in the shooting death of former Garfield High School football player Gabriel Soto. The victim was shot and killed on May 25, 2013, on the 600 block of South McDonnell Avenue, East Los Angeles.

Detectives and Soto’s family members requested the public’s help to catch Gabriel’s killers. Several tips ultimately lead to the arrests of three men last week.

Jonathon Gonzalez, 28, Roque Solis, 30, and Anthony Gabriel, 25, were booked for murder.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Gabriel’s family would like to thank everyone who helped us locate the three suspects.

There is no further information at this time. Booking photos of the suspects will not be released.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Forwarded By:

Sara Rodriguez, Deputy

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Hall of Justice - First floor

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-229-1700

************ Original Press Release ************

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives Seek Public’s Help to

Identify Shooter of College Football Scholar.

L.A. County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Solis Offer $20,000 Reward

Watch the news conference by visiting https://youtu.be/kDUNnH-2nRY

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are asking the public’s assistance in identifying suspects involved in the shooting death of local youth and budding football star, Gabriel Soto, of Monterey Park. 

One month short of his 22nd birthday, Victim Gabriel Soto was shot to death in the 600 block of South McDonnell Avenue, in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, East Los Angeles community.  The young student was in California to visit family, on a break from attending Lincoln University in Missouri on a football scholarship.  Gabriel was a standout defensive player, especially in the position of middle linebacker.  He was also a scholar with the intent of seeking an engineering degree.

Minutes before 3:00 A.M., as Gabriel gathered with friends and colleagues inside an open garage behind a gated fence, an unknown male walked onto the property and began shooting.  Gabriel and another man were struck by the gunfire.  Both victims were transported to a local hospital, where Gabriel was pronounced dead and the second victim survived with injuries to his right leg.  The suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

Gabriel and his friends were not gang members, and the motive for the shooting is still unknown.  Despite an exhaustive investigation, no clues to the suspect’s identity were found and the case has come to a standstill.  Initial information described the suspect as a male Hispanic adult, 5'7" tall, 150 pounds, with long dark hair.  As the investigation progressed, however, it was determined the suspect may appear differently.  Detectives are seeking any bit of information to assist in learning the suspect’s identity and locating him. 

At a press conference Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Sheriff Jim McDonnell asked the public for their assistance to bring Gabriel’s killer to light.  “It is imperative for the purpose of completing justice and bringing a sense of relief for Gabriel’s family the suspect is unearthed,” the Sheriff said.  “Those responsible must be held accountable for violently and chillingly ending a young, vibrant life packed with potential, and permanently impacting the life of another.”

Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District, reinforced the urgency to pinpoint Gabriel’s shooter and presented a $20,000 reward offered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the apprehension and/or conviction of those responsible for this abominable murder.  

“I am thankful for the work our detectives have invested in this case, and I hope that this reward will help them get one step closer to bringing Gabriel’s killer to justice and giving the Soto family the closure it needs,” said Supervisor Solis. 

In honor of Gabriel, the Lincoln University Blue Tigers retired football jersey number 33, which he used to wear with pride and anticipation of a future in professional sports.  He is survived by family and friends.

If you have any information about the suspect, please call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, with phone lines open 24 hours a day:  323-890-5500.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

To review the original press release and updates, click:  http://local.nixle.com/alert/5007436/

Written by:

Deputy Lillian Peck

Sheriff’s Information Bureau

211 West Temple Street,

Los Angeles, CA  90012

213-229-1700

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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department