A grandfather was brutally murdered in front of his young granddaughter when he answered the door at his California home last fall, prompting officials to offer a reward for the man’s killer.
Hector Ascencio, Sr., 57, was fatally gunned down at his home on the 2500 block of Glenwood Place in the city of South Gate on Sept. 16, 2023, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“The victim was shot and killed after answering the front door of his residence on the 2500 block of Glenwood Place in the city of South Gate. The victim’s adolescent granddaughter witnessed the murder,” the department said in a statement.
Ascencio was holding his 10-year-old granddaughter’s hand when he heard the knock on the door, according to KABC.
The suspect fled the scene, speeding off in a dark-colored 4-door vehicle immediately after the shooting.
Lawmakers and officials have recently put out a combined $30,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Asencio’s killer, after six months without any arrests in the shooting.
“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the City of South Gate have each authorized a $20,000, and $10,000 reward for a total of $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved,” the sheriff’s department said
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors five members unanimously approved a motion that would establish the $20,000 reward from the county.
“Hector was in his own home with his family when someone savagely took his life. His granddaughter watched Hector die,” Los Angeles Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement.
“We need to bring his killers to justice as soon as possible, and I ask for the public’s help.”
Hahn was the supervisor who initially filed the motion earlier this month.
The City of South Gate also authorized a $10,000 reward for capturing the suspects, according to the LA Sheriff’s Department.
The motive behind the slaying remains unknown, as Homicide Detectives seek assistance with information about the shooting.
A detective told ABC7 they’re hoping someone would come forward so Ascenio’s family can get the justice they are looking for.
The family also said their loved one didn’t have any enemies and couldn’t understand why someone would kill their relative, according to the outlet.
“If you saw something or you were with the person just speak up. It’s not right. Why did they shoot him? He just opened the door and just took him like that,” Andy Ascencio, one of Hector Ascencio Sr’s sons said.
