Manuel Arthur-Joel Jacobo, a 22-year-old Latino, was tragically shot and killed on June 28, 2018, in Pico Rivera, California. The incident occurred in the 7100 block of Pico Vista Road around 9:27 p.m. Residents reported hearing gunfire and found Jacobo lying unconscious in the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:45 p.m., with the cause of death listed as multiple gunshot wounds.
Jacobo lived in another part of Pico Rivera with his family and was known by the nickname "Papa" among his friends and family.
The investigation into Jacobo's death revealed that he was walking outside the home of someone he knew, Carmelo Pizarro Jr., just before he was shot. Pizarro, who was also 22 years old, was later shot and killed by sheriff's deputies on July 19, 2018, in the same area where Jacobo was gunned down. Pizarro's parents stated that he was Jacobo's best friend and had been depressed about Jacobo's death. However, investigators have not confirmed the friendship between the two men and are still looking into any possible connections.
Authorities have not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with Jacobo's murder. There were no witnesses who saw the shooting, and investigators do not have a description of the suspect or know whether the shooter was on foot or in a vehicle. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is handling the investigation and has urged anyone with information to come forward.
In the case of Pizarro's death, authorities reported that he had been running from deputies who attempted to pull him over on suspicion of drunk driving. After crashing his car, Pizarro fled on foot, carrying a handgun. He was eventually shot by deputies near his home. Investigators found a handgun that Pizarro allegedly dropped while fleeing, but there was no evidence that the gun had been fired, and no weapon was found near his body. The investigation into Pizarro's death is ongoing, with authorities withholding further details to avoid compromising witness interviews.
The tragic deaths of Manuel Arthur-Joel Jacobo and Carmelo Pizarro Jr. have left their families and the community of Pico Rivera searching for answers and justice. The investigations continue, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could help solve these cases.
