Epifanio Mercado, a 37-year-old Latino also known as Rodolfo Rojo Melendres, was shot and killed on January 2, 2016, in Lynwood, California. The shooting happened about 12:25 p.m. in the 11500 block of Atlantic Avenue after Mercado exited a florist’s shop and stood beside his pickup truck. A hooded assailant approached, produced a gun and fired multiple times. Mercado was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m.

Initial coroner records identified him as Melendres based on identification found on him, but his family later confirmed his true name as Epifanio Mercado. Investigators say the shooter appeared to have been waiting for Mercado, but then fled on foot; witnesses could not provide a detailed description and no motive had been determined. No arrests had been announced and the Sheriff’s Department asked the public to contact the Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers.

Mercado had been indicted in 2007 in a federal case alleging conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, a fact investigators noted while exploring possible motives. The murder remains unsolved. If anyone knew Mercado, his movements that day, or saw someone loitering near the florist, please contact investigators with any information.