Daniel Duarte, a 31-year-old Latino, was shot and killed on January 21, 2018, near the 110 Freeway between Avenue 52 and Via Marisol in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Coroner’s records and police reports say Duarte and another man were in a makeshift tent in a homeless encampment along the Arroyo Seco riverbed when, at about 4:40 a.m., two men approached and asked where they were from. After the two men answered they had no affiliation, one of the intruders produced a gun and shot both victims.

Duarte died at the scene; his companion survived after escaping and seeking help. Two suspects, identified as gang members, were arrested and charged: Andrew Palacios, 19, and Jimmy Alfred Perez, 31. Both were booked on one count of murder and one count of attempted murder with alleged gun and gang enhancements, and their court proceedings were set for July 10, 2018. Police said the suspects matched witness descriptions, but the reason the victims were targeted, given their lack of known gang ties, remained unclear.

Anyone with information about what happened or who knew Duarte is asked to contact Hollenbeck detectives or Crime Stoppers.