Police seek ‘coward’ who killed baby, shot parents

One day after a 3-week-old infant abducted from her Long Beach home where her parents were shot was found dead in a San Diego County dumpster, police pleaded with the public to share information about the incident.

“To anyone who saw anything, we need you to come forward,” Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna said Monday. “We really, really need your help in helping us catch this coward and get him off the streets.”

The body of Eliza Delacruz was found Sunday in a plastic bag amid trash in an Imperial Beach dumpster, just off a freeway near the Mexican border. Eliza was abducted Saturday night and her parents and uncle were wounded by gunfire.

Authorities say the violence was not random.

But police expressed frustration about the lack of information about the shooter, who is described as an adult male with dark skin, possibly Latino or African American. The possibility that the shooter headed for Mexico is “on the table,” Luna said.

Interviews with the baby’s parents and uncle offered few clues about the suspect, Luna said. At this point, all tips are important.

“Any small piece of information could be the piece of the puzzle we need to solve this case,” he added.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter, Luna said.

Investigators will work with a sketch artist to develop a composite image of the suspect, Luna said.

Authorities are investigating whether any surveillance cameras picked up footage in Imperial Beach, and the Long Beach police are working with the FBI to solve the crime.

In the wake of Eliza’s death, makeshift memorials were set up near the dumpster where her body was found and near her family’s Long Beach home.

“Everyone is in shock still that this happened to our friend,” said Aaron Cruz, 21, a friend of Delacruz’s father. “There are no words to describe it.”

Authorities are urging anyone who may know something about the case to call the Long Beach Police Department Communications Center at (562) 435-6711. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or text TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Times staff writer Tony Perry contributed to this report.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno. He can be reached at matt.hamilton@latimes.com.