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JANUARY 6 10:26AM  |  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved this morning Supervisor Don Knabe’s request of a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect who killed three-week-old Eliza Delacruz and shot her father, mother and uncle, said Cheryl Burnett, a spokeswoman for Knabe.

Knabe’s reward request was increased from $10,000 to $25,000 last night.

JANUARY 5 8:25PM  |  Tomorrow, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will request that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors increase the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect who killed three-week-old Eliza Delacruz and shot her father, mother and uncle from $10,000 to $25,000, Knabe announced via Twitter this evening.

JANUARY 5 5:51PM  |  Two days after three people were shot and an infant was taken from a North Long Beach home, and one day after the infant was found dead in a dumpster in San Diego County, police still have minimal information about the incident and are asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect.

babyThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to issue a $10,000 reward tomorrow morning for information leading to the arrest of the suspect who killed three-week-old Eliza Delacruz and shot her father, mother and uncle, said Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Robert Luna at a press conference Monday afternoon.

“Somebody somewhere saw what happened and we need you to come forward,” Luna said. “We really, really need your help to catch this coward and get him off the street.”

Luna said police believe the incident was not a random act of violence because it is not an everyday occurrence, “especially in Long Beach,” and police believe there was only a single gunman in the incident.

Luna said all three family members have been interviewed, but police still have minimal information regarding the incident. He said the suspect was only described as a dark-skinned male, possibly black or Hispanic, and police do not know how many shots were fired or what kind of gun was used in the incident.

“As far as we know, we’ve gotten all the information we’re going to get at this point,” he said, adding that the father was released from the hospital yesterday, and the mother and uncle were still in local hospitals in critical but stable condition.

Luna said the LBPD is working with federal departments, including the FBI, and is reviewing any available surveillance footage from the area where the infant was found in Imperial Beach, and near the family’s home on the 100 block of W. 51st Street in Long Beach, where the shooting occurred. A sketch of the suspect is pending, he said.

He also said the LBPD is working with the San Diego County Coroner’s Office to determine exactly how and when Eliza died.

Luna said the LBPD is exploring all angles and options, including the possibility of the suspect fleeing to Mexico, since the baby was found about six miles away from the US/Mexico border.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is strongly urged to call the LBPD at 562-435-6711. 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.

JANUARY 4 10:24PM  |  Police have confirmed that the body of an infant found in a dumpster in San Diego County is Eliza Delacruz, who went missing after three members of her family were shot Saturday night in North Long Beach.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia took to social media this evening, stating that the Long Beach Police Department will not stop looking for the suspect.

“To the person or persons who are responsible for the death of baby Eliza Delacruz, our police officers will find you, arrest you and bring you to justice,” he said in a post on Facebook.

Eliza’s mother, father and father’s brother were shot Saturday night at a home on the 100 block of West 51st Street. The dark-skinned male suspect, who police believe knew the family, took Eliza when he fled the scene.

Two of the three victims of the shooting remain in critical but stable condition at local hospitals. The third patient was released this afternoon.

JANUARY 4 8:40PM  |  Long Beach police are en route to San Diego County to determine if the body of an infant found in a dumpster is the same three-week old infant who was taken from a North Long Beach home Saturday evening.

The baby was found dead inside a trash bag in a dumpster behind a restaurant in Imperial Beach at about 1:30PM Sunday, officials said. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to determine if the found baby is Eliza Delacruz. Police have been searching for Eliza since Saturday evening, when a shooting at a North Long Beach home left the child’s mother, father, and father’s brother in critical condition at a local hospital. 

We will update this story as we learn more.

JANUARY 4 10:40AM  |   Police just released information that the father of the missing infant was also shot Saturday evening.

“The two male victims, who also sustained gunshot injuries, are brothers,” said Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Marlene Arrona. “One of the male victims is the father of the missing infant.”

Arrona said one of the victims has been treated and released, while the other two remain in critical but stable conditions at local hospitals. She did not specify which victim was released and which victims remained in the hospital.

Police are still searching for the male suspect, who is described as having dark skin, possibly Hispanic or black. The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available. We will update this story as we learn more.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the missing infant’s whereabouts should call the LBPD at 562-435-6711.

JANUARY 3 10:52PM |  Long Beach police are asking for the public’s help in locating a three-week-old infant who went missing from a North Long Beach residence where a shooting occurred earlier Saturday evening.

The infant, who weighs about 10 pounds, has been identified as Eliza Delacruz.

Detectives believe an adult male suspect may have taken the Eliza and fled the scene after the shooting, according to a statement from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

The infant’s mother was one of the victims of the earlier shooting, police said, adding that all three victims are in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or Eliza’s whereabouts is urged to call the LBPD at 562-435-6711.