Davis Offers Rewardin 1997 Shooting Death
Gov. Gray Davis is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the solving of a 4-year-old murder case in Stanton.
Bernard Garcia Lopez Jr. was shot to death outside his home while walking friends to their car on Joel Street during the early morning hours of June 30, 1997. The gunman came out of the shadows from across the street and shot Lopez, 18, with a handgun, police said.
The main suspect is described as Latino, 17 to 21 years old at the time of the shooting; 5 feet, 8 inches tall; with a heavy build, shaved head and large “jug”-type ears. A second suspect is described as Latino; 16 to 20 years old; about 5 feet, 9 inches tall; 150 pounds, with medium-length black hair combed back.
Byron Tucker, a spokesman for Davis’ office, said no eyewitnesses have come forward, which has “greatly hindered the case.”
The reward request was made by Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona.
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