Elvis Cruz Sanchez, 31, was shot and killed on December 15, 2017, in Panorama City, Los Angeles. The shooting happened about 3 a.m. while Sanchez and another man, 29-year-old James Gustavo Rodriguez, were sitting on a bus stop bench on Van Nuys Boulevard after visiting a nearby Denny’s. Both men were struck; Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene and Rodriguez was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Bureau Homicide unit opened an investigation and described the attack as sudden and unprovoked. Detectives noted Sanchez had known gang ties, while there was no evidence Rodriguez was affiliated with a gang. The relationship between the two victims and the motive for the shooting remained unclear. No suspects were publicly identified and the case remained open.

Anyone with information about the shooting or who knew Sanchez or Rodriguez is asked to contact the LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide unit.