Two men have been arrested and charged in the 2023 killing of Jose Quezada, a father of three who was shot and killed after leaving an anti-gang violence event in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department identified Sergio Esteban and Estevan Hernandez as the suspects in Quezada’s killing.
Esteban, 28, was arrested on Dec. 6, 2023 and Hernandez was arrested on Jan. 31 in Mexico by Mexican authorities.
Both men, originally from San Pedro, have been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with murder.
Quezada was shot and killed on July 27, 2023 as he left the Wilmington Recreation Center on the 300 block of North Neptune Avenue. He was volunteering as a cook during the “Summer Night Lights” gathering, which promotes community and serves as an anti-gang violence event.
Police said two men approached him in a vehicle and shot him before fleeing the area. Quezada was shot multiple times and died at the scene.
The 46-year-old father of three grew up in Wilmington and was well-known in the community as someone committed to keeping kids away from drugs and gangs. At the event, he had volunteered to run the barbecue.
At the time of the shooting, police suspected his killers were gang members, but a motive was never officially disclosed.
Both suspects are being held at the 77th Street jail in Florence as they await trial. Esteban’s bail has been set at $2.01 million, while Hernandez’ was set at $3 million.
They have individual court dates in March, according to jail records.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD South Bureau Homicide Division at 323-786-5100. Anonymous tips can be made online or by calling 800-222-8477.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help support Quezada’s wife and three young sons.
