Chief: Fatal Shooting an 'Assassination'

Last Friday's fatal shooting of Gardena resident Bobby Reynolds in North Redondo Beach was "not a drive-by," Redondo Beach police Chief Joe Leonardi told the Redondo Beach City Council on Tuesday night.

"It was basically an assassination," Leonardi said.

Police have identified Erick Julian Ortega, 27, as a suspect in the shooting, which occurred at about 8 p.m. near the intersection of Ralston and Lilienthal lanes. The presumed getaway vehicle—a Chrysler 300 sedan found abandoned near the intersection of Spreckles Lane and Inglewood Avenue—was registered to Ortega.

Ortega is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

"We have recovered various items of evidence that I believe will help us lead to the identification and capture of the suspect," Leonardi said. "Our detectives have been working at it literally about 18 hours a day, every day, since the murder."

Lomita residents Eduardo Losa and Shelby Johnston were arrested Saturday in connection with the shooting; however, they were released Tuesday morning after police did not file charges within the required 48-hour window.

They are still considered suspects, according to police Capt. Jeff Hink.

Both Ortega and Losa are members of the NSR-13 gang, also known as North Side Redondo or RB-13, Hink said. Though gang activity was a "problem" in the 1990s in North Redondo Beach near Perry Park, it has largely quieted since then.

Leonardi emphasized Tuesday that the shooting was targeted, and he sought to allay fears residents' may have about the general safety of the city.

"I do not believe (the shooting) should be of a concern to the general public," he said. "This was very focused … It was not a random act of violence towards a Redondo Beach resident."

Anyone with information on Ortega's whereabouts or on the shooting is urged to call the Redondo Beach Police Department at 310-379-2477 or 310-937-6685, text the department at 310-339-2362, or email crimetips@redondo.org.

Previously:

• 2 Suspects Released in Redondo Beach Fatal Shooting
• Police: Arrests Made in Fatal Redondo Beach Shooting
• Police ID Person of Interest in Redondo Beach Fatal Shooting
• Police: Shooting Victim 'Specifically Targeted'