Police Seek Man for Questioning in Shooting
Police are looking for an El Sereno man, Alvaro Luna Jaro, to question him regarding the death of Steven Morales, the 12-year-old who was shot while trying to push other children out of harm’s way.
Investigators believe that 14-year-old Shela Varo-Gomez, who was reported missing by her parents Sept. 2, may be with Jaro, said Det. Martha Ramos. It was not known under what circumstances Varo-Gomez left her home, which is in the same neighborhood as the Morales residence.
Jaro is described as a Latino male with brown hair, brown eyes, 5-11 and 160 pounds. Detectives believe that he may be driving a dark blue 1984 Toyota pickup, with license number 5G33748.
The LAPD is seeking the public’s help and asks that anyone with information to contact Det. John Berdin at (213) 847-4271.
On Aug. 29, Steven was playing in a dead-end street with other children when a gunman drove by in a truck and fired in their direction from the corner of 58th Avenue and Benner Street.
Steven was taken off life support systems Aug. 30 and his liver was donated the next day to Lori House, a Moreno Valley woman that was about to be removed from the list of eligible recipients.
Some of House’s relatives attended Steven’s funeral services last Friday.
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