Full Notification

Green-eyed Shooter Identified in Road-rage Murder

Arleta.  Detectives have identified 24-year-old Luis Alberto Gutierrez, Jr., as the shooter in the July 13 road-rage incident that ended with the death of 22-year-old Richard Ruiz of North Hollywood.  A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

“We received a number of tips in this case, but it was one from Gutierrez’s employer that broke the case open,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “But as soon as we started inquiring about Gutierrez, he abandoned his job and has been on the run ever since.”

Gutierrez is a member of a local San Fernando Valley street gang, with the moniker, “Green Eyes.”  It was his striking green eyes that the dead victim’s passengers recalled seeing as Gutierrez’s gray Challenger overtook the red Kia and fired into the car, striking Richard Ruiz in the neck.  “Our victim was a nice kid, with no gang ties or criminal history,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “He and his friends were on their way to play basketball that afternoon when Gutierrez decided to rage for no good reason.”

It was an employee at the North Hollywood business where Gutierrez worked, who noticed Gutierrez acting aloof in the days following the murder.  Gutierrez had green eyes, drove the same model of gray Challenger, and he started to change his appearance in the days following the shooting.

The tip came a couple weeks after the shooting, and when detectives visited the business, Gutierrez walked off his job and never came back.  Detectives found his Challenger abandoned, covered in dust, in Montebello a few weeks later.  “Interestingly, we impounded the car and sent notices to the owner, but he’s never appeared to claim his car back,” Lt. Vernon said.

Gutierrez has been on the run since early August.  He is on probation for carrying a loaded gun and has missed appointments with his probation officer.  Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Gutierrez in the road-rage murder.  “We believe he is still in the area, but might be going back and forth to Mexico,” Lt. Vernon added.  “Anyone with information is encouraged to call us, please.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Ryan Verna, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9976.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

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