Jose Quezada was shot and killed at a summer event meant to raise awareness against violence. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 8, 2024.
Two San Pedro men, including a fugitive who was found in Mexico, were arrested on suspicion of murder in the July shooting death of a volunteer with Los Angeles' Summer Night Lights program at a recreation center.
Jose Quezada, 46, of Carson, was fatally shot about 10 p.m. July 27 during a Summer Night Lights event at the Wilmington Recreation Center in the 300 block of North Neptune Avenue. Quezada was volunteering as a cook at the event, part of a program at more than 40 Los Angeles area parks and recreation centers to promote anti-gang violence and turn them into safe havens for families.
The suspects were identified Thursday by the Los Angeles Police Department as Sergio Esteban, 28, and Estevan Hernandez, 27.
Esteban was charged in December following his arrest earlier that month. Hernandez also was charged with murder in December, but was not arrested until Jan. 31 when he was found by authorities in Mexico with assistance from the LAPD and FBI Fugitive Task Force.
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He was turned over to the task force Feb. 1 and booked on suspicion of murder by the LAPD.
Quezada had stepped away from the event when he was shot. Details about a motive in the shooting were not available. Witnesses said two men were seen running away from the scene
An intersection near the location of the shooting was dedicated to Quezada, described as a husband, father, coach and mentor.
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"Everyone who knew him, or knew of him, considered Jose to be a wonderful man and pillar of the Wilmington community," Councilman Tim McOsker wrote in the motion to designate the intersection at Jose Quezada Memorial Square.
Quezada is survived by his wife and two sons.
"I am left without my husband, my boys are left without their dad, our grandson is left without their grandpa," said Sandy DeLaMora, the victim's widow.
"I want to know why you would cowardly come to a community event where there were many families and children there to shoot at a crowd that would kill my husband," DeLaMore said.
Esteban was being held on $2 million bail. Hernandez was being held on $3 million bail. It was not immediately clear whether the men have attorneys.
