Gustavo Arteaga, 37 and a resident of Cerritos, California, was shot to death on July 28, 2017, while preparing food for homeless people at the San Gabriel Riverbed near Artesia Boulevard. According to investigators, Arteaga intervened when three men were looking for someone they had previously had an altercation with; after he told them the person was not there and asked them to leave, a dispute escalated and one of the men drew a gun and shot Arteaga multiple times. Another person at the encampment was shot and survived; Arteaga died en route to the hospital.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department described Arteaga as a compassionate neighbor who often provided food and showers to people in the riverbed. Detectives released composite sketches of three Hispanic men believed to be between 30 and 40, last seen fleeing on Palo Verde Road. No arrests have been made and the suspects remain at large. Arteaga is survived by his wife, Priscilla, and their four children.

Does anyone have information about the men seen fleeing on Palo Verde Road or about that day at the San Gabriel Riverbed?