Francisco Javier Alvarez, a 49-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was shot and killed on October 18, 2015, near a homeless encampment adjacent to Paxton Park in Pacoima, by the transition of the westbound 118 Freeway and the northbound 5 Freeway. Coroner’s records show he was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene at 11:28 a.m. after the shooting at about 11 a.m.

Alvarez, who lived in the encampment, had been talking with three acquaintances when a dispute broke out and one person produced a firearm. That person, identified as Jovanny Valenzuela, who had turned 22 the day before, was apprehended within minutes while attempting to flee. He was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of ammunition and was held on $1 million bail. The Foothill Homicide Division investigated the case, led by Detective Manuel Armijo. The specific origin of the dispute remains unclear.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or knew the people involved in the encampment, please share what was seen or heard.