FBI seeks tattooed suspect ‘Bones’ in murder of Redondo Beach father

The suspect’s body is full of ink. On the center of his chest is a tattoo of a cross between the faces of two women. In cursive writing, above the cross, it reads “Padre Pardon Me.”

Along his stomach in large letters it reads “Redondo,” with the words “How do you want it” written below his navel.

These are some of the tattoos federal investigators say identify Erick Julian Ortega, who is wanted in connection with the death of Bobby Darin Reynolds, 38, of Gardena.

According to the Redondo Beach Police Department, a gunman shot Reynolds around 8 p.m. last June 21 near the intersection of Lilienthal and Ralston lanes.

Officers responding to a report of shots fired in the area discovered Reynolds lying in front of a home, not far from Washington Elementary School.

Reynolds, a husband and father, was taken to Harbor General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was one of two people killed in Redondo Beach in 2013, according to The Times’ Homicide Report.

Detectives said he appeared to have been targeted and the shooting was not random.

Three days afterward, police released a photo of Ortega as a person of interest in the case. Ortega has prior arrests for robbery and narcotics offenses and police say he is a documented North Side Redondo street gang member.

Shortly after the shooting, Redondo Beach police executed search warrants in Lomita, including at Ortega’s home, and arrested Eduardo Antonio Losa and Shelby Ann Johnson in connection with Reynolds’ murder. They were later released pending further investigation.

A month later, Ortega was charged with murder by L.A. County prosecutors, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest.

Authorities allege Ortega, who goes by “Bonz,” “Bones” or “Bonez,” shot Reynolds from close range as Reynolds left a relative’s Redondo Beach home.

They said Ortega fled in a silver Chrysler 300, which was found abandoned five blocks from the scene of the shooting.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Ortega in February after he was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Federal investigators are offering a $10,000 reward leading to the arrest and prosecution of Ortega.

FBI officials said Ortega may have traveled to Arkansas or Oklahoma.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Redondo Beach police at (310) 379-2477. Anonymous tips can be left at (310) 937-6685 or Crime Stoppers (800) 222-8477.