Two suspects in Redondo Beach murder released, one still at large
Capt. Jeff Hink talks to reporters about the slaying of Gardena man Bobby Darren Reynolds on Friday night. Photo
Two people who were arrested for their possible involvement in a Redondo Beach murder were this morning released from custody.
Captain Jeff Hink of the Redondo Beach Police Department confirmed this afternoon that Eduardo Antonio Losa, 41, and Shelby Ann Johnston, 29, were discharged from jail not because police no longer suspect they were connected to the killing of a Gardena man in Redondo Beach on Friday night, but because detectives need more time to piece together their case.
“The case is still being investigated,” Hink said. “And unfortunately… while I wish we could solve it in 30 minutes, we can’t. We still have more work to do in terms of the investigation and analysis and evidence.
Police have released Eduardo Antonio Losa, who was booked on murder charges related to Friday night’s drive-by shooting in North Redondo. Photo courtesy RBPD
“We still think the two have involvement in the murder; however, in the interest of justice and following the law, which requires us to discharge them no later than 48 hours after we arrest them, we elected to let them go pending further investigation.”
The law stipulates that if a defendant remains in custody for more than two days, he or she must either be charged and arraigned in court or discharged.
Capt. Hink said police still intend to file their case with the District Attorney and lay formal charges, but need more time.
Losa reportedly resides in the 1800 block of 260th Street in Lomita with Johnston. According to police, he is a documented NSR-13 gang member whose criminal past includes convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and parole violation.
He is believed to have a “close relationship” with Johnston, whose Facebook page lists her as “engaged.” The site also shows photos of a baby she and Losa had in late October.
Johnston is reportedly seven months pregnant.
Shelby Ann Johnston was released after being booked on charges of being accessory to murder. Photo courtesy RBPD
Hink said Monday he could not divulge the nature of either Losa’s or Johnston’s possible involvement in the murder.
Police are still seeking information about the whereabouts of Erick Julian Ortega, 27, the registered owner of a Chrysler 300 recovered near the scene of the crime.
Witnesses saw a man shoot Reynolds several times around 8 p.m. Friday and run to a waiting car, which was recovered several blocks from the scene of the crime. After first identifying Ortega as a person of interest, police were Monday calling him a suspect.
“Right now we just want to get him in custody,” Hink told reporters in response to questions about the nature of Ortega’s involvement and the placement of his car. “We don’t know why [his car was there], but we want to find out.”
Ortega is believed to be on the loose, armed, and dangerous. Police have confirmed he is also a documented NSR-13 gang member whose criminal record includes robbery and narcotics offenses.
Ortega formerly worked at a Redondo Beach restaurant as a dishwasher. A current employee referred to him as a “quiet, sweet kid” who was also the father of a newborn baby. Losa worked at the same restaurant.
Police have reason to believe Ortega communicates with other NSR-13 members in state prisons, and also to believe he traffics in narcotics and distributes some of the profit to inmates in state custody.
Erick Julian Ortega, who police are calling a “person of interest” in Friday night’s shooting in Redondo Beach. Photo courtesy RBPD
Ortega is described as male, Hispanic, 5’6” and about 160 pounds with brown hair and eyes and distinctive tattoos. The ink includes a marijuana leaf on his right arm, a naked woman on his right shoulder, a clown on his left shoulder, the letters “HA” on his head, the following phrases on his chest – “Padre Pardon me,” “Redondo Beach,” and “Father forgive me” – the words “bitch please” on his neck, and the words “Redondo how do you want it” across his abdomen.
Police are warning members of the public not to approach Ortega if they spot him, but instead to call 911. Anyone with any information about Ortega’s whereabouts or the murder is urged to call (310) 379-2477 or (310) 937-6685 or to text (310) 339-2362 or email crimetips@redondo.org.