Nichole Zuniga, an 18-year-old Latina, was shot and killed on June 11, 2012, in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. on the 3200 block of Verdugo Road; the Los Angeles County coroner’s records list a fatal gunshot wound to the head and pronouncement of death at the scene.

Also shot that night was 21-year-old Michael Cortes, who was critically injured and transported to a local hospital. He died the following day from a gunshot wound to the head. LAPD investigators treated the incident as a double shooting; detectives believed Zuniga and Cortes were friends, but no motive or clear explanation for the attack had been established. The area had experienced numerous homicides in prior years.

No arrests or significant breakthroughs have been reported and the investigation remains open. If anyone knew Nichole Zuniga or Michael Cortes, or saw activity on Verdugo Road the evening of June 11, 2012, please contact the LAPD or Crime Stoppers with any information.