Joe Encinas, 38

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Joe Encinas, a 38-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed at about 2 a.m. in La Puente on Saturday, March 8. He was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. According to Det. Abe Brown of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, Encinas pulled alongside his home in his blue Ford Probe near the intersection of Tonopah Avenue and E. Amar Road at about 1:50 a.m. when a suspect or suspects approached him and fired several shots. Encinas, mortally wounded, gunned it to escape the shooting. He traveled south on Tonopah Avenue before crashing into a playground fence at Sunset Elementary School, Brown said.

Encinas leaves behind an 18-year-old daughter. His father is retired but still works to help support the family. Brown said the father had heard the shots, but didn’t know it was his son who had been shot until detectives called to inform him.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Det. Abe Brown at the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.