On the one-year anniversary of an unsolved murder, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department pleaded for public help Monday in finding the killer of a 40-year-old woman gunned down in Lynwood.
Irene Gonzalez was shot at around 1:55 a.m. Sept. 15, 2024, in the 12500 block of Oak Street, according to the Sheriff's Information Bureau. Her body was discovered by deputies at around 5:40 a.m. lying on the sidewalk with a fatal gunshot wound to her upper body. Sheriff's officials said she was shot by a male driver while exiting a black 2014-2018 Toyota Corolla with four doors and a sunroof.
The relationship between the driver and Gonzalez, if any, was unclear.
The vehicle was witnessed on video traveling along Long Beach Boulevard moments before turning westbound onto Euclid Avenue, heading toward Oak Street, where the sedan stopped in the middle of the block.
"Moments after stopping on Oak Street, Irene was shot in the back by the driver as she fled the vehicle. The suspect sped away, and her body was discovered hours later," according to a sheriff's department said.
Gonzalez is survived by an adult autistic son and one juvenile son.
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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Tuesday to re-establish a $20,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the suspect.
"It has been one year since Irene lost her life in a vicious, close- range shooting, and her killer has still not been found," Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. "Irene and her loved ones deserve justice, and this violent criminal with no regard for human life belongs behind bars. We need the public's help here. If you saw or may have seen something, please come forward."
Anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting was urged to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
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