Santiago Octavio Martinez Martinez, a 40-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Sept. 24, in the 2000 block of Durfee Avenue in South El Monte, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.
Deputies were sent to a strip mall parking lot at 9:12 p.m. after reports of gunfire, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza.
They found Martinez in the driver’s seat of his parked SUV with a gunshot wound to the head, Mendoza said.
Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:24 p.m., according to coroner’s records.
Someone heard gunshots in the parking lot and called 911, Mendoza said, but no one has reported seeing the shooting.
Investigators believe Martinez was shot from outside the car, Mendoza said, but have no other information about who shot him or why.
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.