Redondo Beach police searching for murder suspect

Redondo Beach police are searching for a gang member believed to be involved in the June 21 slaying of a Gardena man.

Authorities say Erick Julian Ortega, 27, a documented NSR-13 gang member, is armed and dangerous. His whereabouts are unknown, Redondo Beach Police Capt. Jeff Hink said.

“I certainly think he feels the pressure,” Hink said. “We’re not going to stop looking for him until we find him.”

Ortega is suspected of being involved in murdering Bobby Darren Reynolds, 38, who was shot “at close range” about 8 p.m. after he visited relatives, police said. The gunman ran to a waiting driver in a car registered to Ortega and sped off, according to witnesses.

Reynolds was taken to a hospital, where he died. He appears to have been directly targeted, Hink said.

On Saturday, police arrested Eduardo Antonio Losa and Shelby Ann Johnston in connection with the crime. Losa, 42, of Lomita, and Johntson, 29, also of Lomita, were released Tuesday but remain suspects, Hink said.

Police have served search warrants at the suspects’ homes.

Hink said Ortega communicates with gang members in the state prison system and is involved in narcotics trafficking.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the police tip line at (310) 937-6685 or send text messages to (310) 339-2362.

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Twitter: @nicolesantacruz | nicole.santacruz@latimes.com