Juan Carillo Ortiz, an 18-year-old Latino, was tragically shot and killed on November 19, 2016, at the southwest corner of East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Carmelita Avenue in East Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Ortiz and two other men were standing in the parking lot in front of K’s Jr. Market when an unknown assailant began shooting in their direction.
Ortiz was struck multiple times by gunfire and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. The other two men, aged 19 and 66, were also hit by gunfire but survived their injuries.
The investigation into Ortiz's death has been challenging for authorities. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Cotter described the case as a "real mystery" because there were no witnesses who saw the shooter or could provide a description. People in the vicinity heard gunshots and saw the victims afterward, but no one could offer any details about the suspect or the direction from which the shots were fired. Investigators believe the shooting may have been gang-related, given the location and circumstances, but no concrete evidence has been found to confirm this theory.
Despite the lack of leads, the Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau has continued to seek information from the public. They have encouraged anyone with knowledge about the incident to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers. A fundraising account was also established to support Ortiz's family, who lived near the site of the shooting.
As of now, there have been no arrests or suspects publicly identified in connection with Juan Carillo Ortiz's murder. The case remains open, with law enforcement officials hoping that new information will eventually come to light to help solve this tragic crime.
