LONG BEACH—At around 5:50 p.m. on January 3, Long Beach police, responding to reports of gunshots, arrived at a home located on the 100 block of W. 51st Street and found three adults suffering from multiple gun shot wounds.
There was a three-week-old infant, later identified as Eliza Delacruz, present in the house when the incident occurred, but she was missing when the police arrived. According to the initial news release, “The preliminary investigation leads detectives to believe an adult male suspect fled with the infant immediately after the shooting occurred.”
Two of the victims have been determined to be the parents of Eliza and the third victim was the infant’s uncle, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
On January 4, at about 4:30 p.m., San Diego County Sheriff’s Department notified Long Beach Police Department that they had located a deceased infant, suspecting it may be Eliza.
According to a statement, “San Diego authorities found a deceased infant in a dumpster at a commercial strip mall in the 600 block of Palm Drive in Imperial Beach. LBPD detectives traveled to San Diego to confer with authorities. The San Diego Coroner’s Office confirmed the deceased infant as Eliza Delacruz. Long Beach detectives notified next of kin before advising the public & media.”
The suspect remains at large and reportedly fled the scene with the infant. Long Beach Homicide Detectives are continuing to work on a sketch as the investigation continues and if sufficient information becomes available.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors are considering offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of 3-week-old Eliza Delacruz.
No one has come forward with information and LBPD urges anyone with information to call Long Beach Homicide Detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7244.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org. Long Beach Police will continue to aggressively investigate and pursue any lead to locate the suspect. No motive for the crimes
