The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced Wednesday that they had renewed a $10,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of a man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Lancaster last year.
An additional $10,000 has been offered by the City of Lancaster, bringing the total to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Oscar Palazuelos, 19.
Palazuelos is suspected of killing U.S. Army veteran Ismael Zabala, 26, who was gunned down in Dec. 2020 while attending a family birthday party at a relative’s home.
According to L.A. County sheriff’s Lt. Derrick Alfred, Palazuelos and a second suspect already in custody were invited to the gathering in Lancaster by another attendee. Neither were previously known to Zabala or his family.
“They were invited inside [but] after some time both men were asked to leave,” Alfred said. “A physical altercation occurred at the front door, where Ismael Zabala and an additional victim were then assaulted by both men. Oscar Palazuelos and the second suspect drew handguns.”
Palazuelos then fired, according to sheriff’s deputies. Zabala and his brother were struck. Zabala eventually died from his wounds, though his brother survived.
Investigators identified Palazuelos and a man named Ervin Alvarez as suspects in the killing. Alvarez was subsequently arrested, though Palazuelos remained at large. The L.A. County sheriff’s deputies said they believed he had gone into hiding, according to Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
"What we're looking for is just some kind of justice," Zabala’s father told City News Service on Wednesday. "I would appreciate it if everybody that's out there, if they know his whereabouts, can help us out and bring him in, so he can pay for his crimes.”
Palazuelos was described as five feet, nine inches tall and 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities.
The reward will be available for at least the next 90 days. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
