Police are continuing their investigation and are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for shooting a Sylmar man to death.
Jimmy Marquez, 39, was shot about 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 28 while at the Sylmar Motel with friends located in the area of San Fernando Road and Bleeker Street, according to Officer Tony Im of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations.
Im would not provide additional information or comment when asked by the San Fernando Valley Sun/El Sol, as to why Marquez was at the motel.
Police previously said that Marquez became involved in an argument with the suspect who shot him in the upper torso and fled in a dark vehicle. Marquez was taken to an area hospital but died while in surgery.
The suspected shooter is described as a Latino man in his 30s, Im said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for his family. Marquez was the father of three young boys.
Several people have written messages of support to the Marquez family encouraging others to donate. Larry Hernandez wrote:
“I donated because it’s coming out of my heart it’s sad to see a father loses his life and leave three babies behind so for me as a San Fernando business owner and a very good friend of his and I think that everybody in the community should put out and help this poor mother with these babies. I remember her [Renee Perez Marquez] coming out to parties and singing for the community, everybody wanted to come to hear her sing so it’s time for us to sing to her and help her.”
Sylmar residents have voiced concern about local motels they describe as “seedy” that accept homeless vouchers, and are known locations for drugs and other illegal activity. Some residents would like to disassociate themselves from Sylmar and have their particular neighborhood area renamed.
Christian Rubalcava, President of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council, said residents are concerned about the incident.
“A lot of these shootings are occurring in a short period of time. There was a shooting recently near an automotive shop [14900 Nurmi Street near Polk Street and Bradley Avenue] and we want to know if there is any relationship between these shootings,” Rubalcava said.
One man was also killed during that shooting on Sept.6.
“It’s a serious public safety issue for residents and there have been concerns about that local motel,” Rubalcava said. “During our cleanups as far back as two years ago, we noticed needles on the sidewalk in front of that motel.”
Rubalcava said it was a concern for principals in area schools, including, Osceola Street Elementary School, who have students who walk on Bleeker Street to get to school. She said the Neighborhood Council will be getting in touch with the LAPD’s Mission Hills senior lead officer who covers that area of Sylmar, and said LA Councilmember Nury Martinez is also aware of the issue of “nuisance motels.”
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Steve Castro at (818) 374-1925 or (877) LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be made at Crime Stoppers, (800) 222-TIPS (8477).