HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles Police Department West Bureau Homicide Detectives are seeking the public’s help to catch the suspect responsible for the death of a Gabriel Ortega, 57, of Hollywood. On June 18, at around 9:35 p.m., Ortega was inside the restaurant on the 1400 block of Vine Street when he spotted the suspect yelling at a child.

When the victim noticed the suspect clinching his fists and walking towards the child, he stood in front of the child to protect them from an attack and informed the suspect to leave the child alone. The suspect then punched the victim in the face and left the scene. Three days later on June 21, Ortega checked himself into a hospital. The victims died of his injuries on July 21.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a result of blunt force trauma. Authorities have described the suspect as a 30-40 year-old African-American male. No additional details regarding the suspect are available at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Bureau Homicide Detectives Jose Robledo or Fernando Rivas at (213) 382-9470.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimes Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) on most keypads) with cell a phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”