Ivan Munoz, 24

Ivan Munoz, a 24-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Dec. 27, at an unknown address.

Munoz's body was discovered shortly before 2 a.m. after he was driven by a friend to a 7-Eleven store parking lot at 2887 E. Valley Blvd. in West Covina. Police came to investigate after getting a report of gunshot victims at the location.

Munoz, who coroner's officials determined had been stabbed and shot,was found dead in the passenger seat of his friend’s four-door Honda Accord, said West Covina Sgt. Steve Wheeless.

The driver, who was also hurt in the incident and whose name was not released, told detectives that he and Munoz had been involved in a fight about 1:20 a.m. in the parking lot near a Margarita Jones restaurant at the Westfield Shopping Center in West Covina.

Investigators interviewed the driver at a hospital five hours after the incident had occurred.

He told authorities that after the fight, he and Munoz ran to their car and fled. The driver told police he was heading to his friend’s house in Pomona, but got lost and noticed that Munoz was no longer breathing.

“He was then looking for any business that was open,” Wheeless said.

According to the man's account, he drove almost 30 minutes before he pulled into the 7-Eleven store, about nine miles from the shopping center where he told police the fight had taken place. Police, however, said they have been unable to confirm the man’s story.

Investigators say the parking lot where the alleged fight occurred had been cleaned up by a private company, destroying any possible evidence left from the shooting.

“There’s no bullet casings … no evidence,” Wheeless said, adding that police have to take the man’s word for it now. Investigators said they were looking for assistance from anyone who may seen the altercation at the Margarita Jones parking lot. Tipsters can call (626) 939-8557.

-- Ruben Vives