LOS ANGELES, CA – Two men from San Pedro have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting death of a volunteer at a Los Angeles recreation center.
Jose Quezada, 46, was fatally shot during a Summer Night Lights event at the Wilmington Recreation Center on July 27. The program, held at various parks and recreation centers in the Los Angeles area, aims to prevent gang violence and provide safe spaces for families.
The suspects, identified as Sergio Esteban, 28, and Estevan Hernandez, 27, were charged in December. Esteban was arrested earlier that month, while Hernandez was apprehended on January 31 in Mexico with the help of the LAPD and FBI Fugitive Task Force.
Quezada, a husband and father, was described as a beloved member of the Wilmington community, known for his role as a coach and mentor. An intersection near the shooting location has been dedicated to him as the Jose Quezada Memorial Square.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as Quezada was shot after stepping away from the event. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Esteban is being held on $2 million bail, while Hernandez’s bail is set at $3 million. It is currently unknown whether the men have legal representation.
The arrests of the two suspects bring some closure to the case, but the community continues to mourn the loss of Quezada and seek justice in his memory. The investigation into the shooting will likely continue as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.