LOS ANGELES : Public’s Help Sought in Search for Man’s Killer

Detectives are hoping that someone will come forward with information to help them find a robber who killed a man as he was celebrating his daughter’s 15th birthday.

Ismael Peralta Salinas, 40, was fatally wounded about 6:20 p.m. Saturday at his home in the 1900 block of West Manchester Avenue, said Detective Rudy Lemos of the Los Angeles Police Department’s South Bureau.

Peralta’s 16- and 18-year-old sons witnessed the crime, Lemos said. In addition to the three teen-agers, Peralta is survived by his wife and two other children, ages 1 and 3.

The family was celebrating the daughter’s birthday when the suspect came to their door and was allowed to enter the home. “The suspect begged (Peralta) for some change . . . (then asked) if he wanted to buy some jewelry,” Lemos said. Peralta told the man he did not have the money to buy the items, but would give him some change, Lemos said. The suspect then pulled out a revolver and demanded Peralta’s money. “When (Peralta) did not cooperate, the suspect forced (him) to his knees and executed him,” Lemos said.

The gunman took about $150 from Peralta and left the house, Lemos said. He fled across Manchester Avenue and was joined by another man. He was described as 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 30 to 38 years old, with medium to dark skin, a light beard and “jheri-curl” hair from his mid-forehead, around his ears to the middle of his neck. He wore dark-colored pants and a light shirt.

The other suspect was described as also being 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and about 30 to 38 years old, but with a lighter skin tone than the gunman’s. He was clean-shaven, had a short, Afro-style haircut and wore soiled clothing, Lemos said.