LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA – A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the apprehension of a suspect involved in the murder of Army veteran Ismael Zabala, 26, in Lancaster. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspects as Oscar Palazuelos, 19, and Ervin Alvarez, 25.
Zabala was fatally shot on December 20, 2020, at his aunt’s home during a birthday party on West Avenue J-12. The suspects, invited by another attendee, got into a confrontation that escalated to violence, leading to Zabala’s death and injuries to others.
Despite Alvarez’s arrest, Palazuelos remains on the run, believed to be evading law enforcement. Palazuelos is alleged to have fired the fatal shot, causing Zabala’s untimely death. Zabala, an Army veteran, was honorably discharged after sustaining injuries in a training accident in March 2020.
Zabala’s father, Alex Zabala, described his son as a beloved individual, always with a smile on his face. As the second oldest of eight children, Zabala had recently returned home after leaving the Army and was excited to attend the birthday celebration with his siblings, surrounded by family members.
L.A. County officials are offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to Palazuelos’ capture and conviction. Supervisor Kathryn Barger voiced her hopes for closure for Zabala’s family, emphasizing the need for justice in the case. Those with information are urged to contact the LASD’s Homicide Bureau or L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers to assist in resolving the matter.