Cesar Alvarado Lemus was 22 when he was shot and killed on October 31, 2016, in East Los Angeles. The shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. as he walked south on Gerhart Avenue with two other men near Gerhart and Repetto during heavy Halloween foot traffic. A small gray compact vehicle approached from behind and someone inside opened fire without any exchange of words. Lemus ran about two blocks to the 500 block of Williamson Street before collapsing; he was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 8:28 p.m.

Investigators found only a blood trail leading to Lemus and no description of the shooter or a clear motive. Detectives noted Lemus had gang-style tattoos but said they were unsure whether he was involved in gang activity. The gray vehicle was last seen heading south on Gerhart. No arrests or identified suspects have been reported and investigators appealed to the neighborhood for witnesses.

If anyone saw a gray compact vehicle in that area on Halloween evening or has information about the shooting, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers.