A 20-year-old Whittier man was arrested in the shooting death of a 19-year-old woman who disappeared from a park in Whittier over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.
Gabriel Esparza was arrested in connection with the shooting and kidnapping of Andrea Vazquez, 19, who was last seen shortly after midnight Sunday morning in the parking stalls area of Penn Park, according to the Whittier Police Department. Esparza was arrested Monday at his job in Lakewood and booked on suspicion of murder and kidnapping.
Vazquez and her 20-year-old boyfriend of just a few months were sitting in the back of a car with the trunk open at the park when someone approached and opened fire, family members said. The boyfriend dropped to the ground for safety and when he returned to the car, he found blood but no sign of Vazquez, the family said.
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Vazquez was taken from the vehicle in what police described as a random act of violence. There appears to be no connection between the accused shooter and victim, said Whittier Officer Thomas Mattsson.
"At this time, it appears that Andrea Vazquez and her male companion were randomly targeted by the suspect at Penn Park," police said in a statement.
Former LAPD detective Moses Castillo, who has been assisting the family, confirmed to NBCLA early Tuesday afternoon that police informed family members of Vazquez's death. The victim's body was found in a vegetation field off Alessandro Boulevard and Merwin Street in Moreno Valley.
"In my 30 years of experience with law enforcement, I've never seen a situation where the victim is shot and then kidnapped," Castillo said. "Often, the victim is just shot and left there, and the suspects flee."
“He fled," Castillo said in an interview with NBC4. "I believe he was trying to get away and obviously, he’s trying to get rid of the evidence. That’ what he ultimately did. He dumped her somewhere in Moreno Valley, an open field.”
The victim's heartbroken family spoke Tuesday about their devastating loss.
"Today is the saddest day of my life," Enrique Vazquez, the victim's father, said in tears. "I lost my daughter and I can't describe my pain."
Ana Vazquez, the teen's mother, recalled her daughter's kindness, responsibility and dedication to her studies. She said the victim was a student at Fullerton College and wanted to be a designer
"I saw her struggling with homework, her hours, because she had a big dream," Ana Vazquez said. "And now, she can not realize nothing,"
As the family continues to process their loss, Ana Vazquez said her family remains in a state of shock and confusion about the random act of violence.
“There is no sense. Nothing makes sense," she told NBC4. "We don’t know this person. When I see the picture of this guy who killed her, I see him and why did he do that? Who is he? Why my daughter? There’s so many things in my head.”
Anyone who was at Penn Park between 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 a.m. Sunday, or anyone with any information on the case, was urged to call the police watch commander at 562-567-9255. Tipsters may also call Det. Jose Bolanos at 562-328-8504 or Det. Tom Nordbak at 562-244-0054, or call the crime tipline at 562-567-9299.
It was not immediately clear whether Esparza has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Details about an initial court appearance were not available.
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