Juan Johnny Sanchez, a resident of Inglewood, California, was shot and killed on February 25, 2025, after confronting two people who were attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle near his home on North Chester Avenue. The shooting occurred about 3:22 a.m.; at least one of the suspects fired, and Sanchez was struck in the chest and died. His family said he had recently been promoted at work after helping victims of Los Angeles fires.

The killing touched off public outrage and was linked by local authorities to a wider spike in catalytic converter thefts across Southern California. Investigators said community tips helped identify two suspects; on March 6, 2025, officers executed a motel search warrant in Cudahy and arrested Wilver Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez, who were booked on homicide charges in Inglewood.

Does anyone have information about activity around North Chester Avenue that night or about the arrests? Please contact Inglewood Police Department Homicide Detectives or the anonymous tip line.