Michael Garcia-Arias, a 27-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed on the evening of August 23, 2021, near 3304 Pepper Ave in the Cypress Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner records list the shooting as the cause of death and say he died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

Investigators say the attack appeared to be targeted; police determined Michael was not involved in gang activity. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle speed away from the scene, a lead that helped detectives develop several lines of inquiry. A suspect has been identified, arrested and charged with Michael’s murder, and the case is in litigation with the defendant awaiting trial.

Michael’s family and friends remember him as kind and hardworking, and the shooting prompted community calls for more attention to gun violence and safety in Cypress Park. If anyone knew Michael or saw activity around Pepper Ave on the night of August 23, 2021, please share what was seen or heard.