A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Filipino liquor store clerk in Los Angeles, authorities announced on Thursday, Oct. 13.
The teenager was reportedly involved in the fatal incident in which Steven Reyes, 68, was struck in the head with a scooter while attempting to stop shoplifters in the LA neighborhood of Highland Park.
The name of the teen in custody was not released because he is a minor. Authorities said the other suspects are one male and two females.
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the three additional suspects in the case who remain at large.
On Thursday night, Oct. 6, Reyes — who worked at Tony’s Market in Highland Park, a neighborhood in northeast Los Angeles — confronted several teenagers who were taking various items from the store.
In an attempt to stop them from stealing a case of beer, Reyes was struck on the head with a scooter before the suspects, described as two teenage boys and two teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 18, fled the scene.
Reyes was found unconscious on the sidewalk outside of the liquor store as good Samaritans tried to help him. He later succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital, according to the LA Police Department.
“When officers arrived they located a victim suffering from blunt force trauma to his head,” police said in a statement. “It was determined that four suspects, who appeared to be young in age, entered the business and several of them attempted to steal various items. When a second store clerk attempted to stop the suspects a struggle ensued. The victim attempted to aid that clerk and suspect-1 struck the victim on his head with a scooter.”
“I would like for people to just remember him, you know, as just your everyday Filipino uncle, your everyday Filipino dad,” Reyes’ daughter Nelle said during a vigil held outside of the store on Monday, Oct. 10.
The victim’s family started a GoFundMe page and paid tribute to Reyes who was a “son, a father, a brother, a good friend and a hard worker.”
Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call homicide detectives at (213) 996-4184, or 877-LAPD-247. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. n
