Mom tearfully pleads for apprehension of son’s killer in Hacienda Heights shooting

Maria Ayala on Thursday sobbed as she talked about the loss of her son, Alfonso Guzman Jr., who was shot and killed on May 20 as he sat in a car with his girlfriend at a scenic lookout point on Turnbull Canyon Road in Hacienda Heights.

Guzman, of Duarte, was 26.

A $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect was offered in late July by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. That was reestablished Thursday, Nov. 18.

After Ayala pleaded in Spanish for help in finding her son’s killer, Capt. Joe Mendoza of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department translated at a news conference held in Monterey Park.

“Some of the things that Alfonso’s mom said was that he didn’t deserve to die … he was a hard-working person that would go to work every single day and had two children — two minor children — and that his children ask for him and ask when he’s coming home,” Mendoza said.

Guzman worked in construction.

Mendoza said that Ayala seeks justice and that she wants someone from the community to come forward and provide information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Lt. Charles Calderaro of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Homicide Bureau opened the news conference with a plea to the public.

“Today we are seeking the public’s assistance in obtaining any information regarding the senseless murder of 26-year-old Alfonso Guzman,” said Calderaro, who was on the crime scene. “This has been a real horrible tragedy for Alfonso’s family and for the community to see a loss of such a young man.”

Calderaro detailed the incident that happened nearly six months ago.

“On May 20, 2021 at approximately 1 a.m. in the morning, Alfonso and his girlfriend were parked near a scenic overlook near the 3300 block of Turnbull Canyon Rd.,” he said.

He described the location as being on a remote, mountainous road that is a popular place at which to view the lights of the San Gabriel Valley. He said the area is not well-lit.

“During that time there was at least one other vehicle parked in the area when they arrived,” Calderaro said. “While they were there, without any notice, the suspect exited the vehicle that was parked there behind the victim’s vehicle and approached Alfonso’s vehicle and shot him without warning.

“The suspect also proceeded to shoot his girlfriend, who was seated in the driver’s seat, and Alfonso was seated in the passenger’s seat.”

Guzman’s girlfriend, whose name was not divulged at the news conference, was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Calderaro said he does not know what the motive might have been and he described Guzman as an “upstanding citizen.”

Calderaro also said there was some physical evidence at the scene, but he would not discuss that so as to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Calderaro said Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information on this case should call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the tip line at 800-222-8477.