Miguel Amezcua, a 26-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed on July 22, 2006, at a backyard party in Wilmington, Los Angeles. About 50 people were at the gathering, which included members of the Eastside Wilmas gang. Violence broke out around 11:30 p.m. after a conflict; several gang members, including Fernando Trujillo, attacked two of Miguel’s friends who escaped into the house. The assault then escalated into a multi-staged attack on Miguel that resulted in his death.

Investigation and the subsequent trial established that Trujillo and other gang members actively participated in the assault. Trujillo was convicted of second-degree murder in 2008; the court found evidence he acted with implied malice and aided and abetted the killing. Miguel’s brother, Luis Amezcua, witnessed the murder and testified at trial.

Miguel’s death illustrates the lethal consequences of gang-related violence in the community. If anyone at the party or anyone with information about the events that night can help, please come forward.