Solis Reinstates $80K Reward Offer for 2014-2018 East Los Angeles Shootings
EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis today reinstated a reward offer of $80,000 in the East Los Angeles shootings of Jesus Antonio Avalos, Eduardo Robles, and Amanda Nicole Lopez. The motion will allow the individuals who courageously came forward with critical information leading to the arrests and conviction of Anthony Velasquez and his father, Manuel Velasquez, to claim the reward initially put forth in 2021.
In 2014, Jesus “Jesse” Avalos was 33 years old when he was found shot to death in his black SUV on East Telegraph Road in East Los Angeles. Eduardo “Eddie” Robles was 38 years old when he was shot after having an argument with two men in 2015, on Eagle Street in East Los Angeles. In 2018, Amanda Nicole Lopez, mother to a then-four-year-old boy, was shot to death in a tent near the East Los Angeles Civic Center on Fetterly Avenue, in front of the First District’s East Los Angeles District Office.
The arrests of Anthony Velasquez and his father, Manuel Velasquez, were made possible in part by community members who provided essential information after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department press conference announcing an $80,000 reward, originally established through a motion by Chair Pro Tem Solis in 2021.
“While East Los Angeles will continue to feel the profound losses of Jesus Antonio Avalos, Eduardo Robles, and Amanda Nicole Lopez, it is clear that this took a collective effort with our community and law enforcement working bravely together to ensure justice and closure for the families of the victims,” said Chair Pro Tem Solis. “Today’s motion honors that commitment to justice.”
“None of this would have been possible without Chair Pro Tem Solis and her unwavering support in closing this case,” said Detective Ray Lugo, Homicide Bureau for Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “While community was initially afraid to come forward, the reward offer established by Chair Pro Tem’s motion served as a reminder that it’s important to speak up when you see something. The information we received after the reward offer was announced was critical to solving this case and ensuring the culprit does not go on to harm anyone else in our community.”
