Juana Lopez-Saldana, 35

Juana Lopez-Saldana, a 35-year-old Latina, died on Friday, April 7, after she was shot at the intersection of East Alondra Boulevard and South San Pedro Street in West Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Witnesses told investigators that Lopez-Saldana was driving a car with a man beside her about 5 p.m. when she pulled over, jumped out and ran to the back, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Troy Ewing.

The man, later identified as Jorge Reyes, 35, the father of their six children, got out holding a gun, Ewing said. 

Reyes chased after Lopez-Saldana, shooting at her from a distance, Ewing said. When she fell, witnesses told police, he walked up to where she was lying and shot her again, Ewing said. 

He then got back into the car and drove away northbound. Investigators found the car a quarter of a mile away at East 154th Street. Reyes was slumped inside, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to coroner’s records. Investigators found a gun near Reyes’ body, Ewing said. 

Lopez-Saldana and Reyes had been a couple for many years, Ewing said. 

“We don’t know why he did this,” Ewing said. “It’s just a mystery right now.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.