Authorities announced $20,000 in rewards this week for public help in finding a man named as a suspect in the shooting death of another man in Lancaster in December.
Oscar Palazuelos, 19, is wanted in the killing of Ismael Zabala, 26, who was gunned down on Dec. 20 while attending a family birthday party at a relative’s home, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
A second suspect has been arrested in the killing, but that suspect’s name has not been released.
According to Sheriff Lt. Derrick Alfred, Palazuelos and the second suspect were invited to the gathering in the 400 block of West Avenue J-12 by another attendee, but were not known to Zabala or his family.
“They were invited inside (but) after some time both men were asked to leave,” Alfred said. “A physical altercation occurred at the front door, where Ismael Zabala and an additional victim were then assaulted by both men. Oscar Palazuelos and the second suspect drew handguns. Oscar Palazuelos fired. Ismael and another individual were struck by gunfire.”
Zabala died, but the other victim survived, Alfred said.
““A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Oscar Palazuelos, and we believe he has gone into hiding,” Alfred said.”
Zabala had served three years in the United States Army before receiving an honorable discharge.
“What we’re looking for is just some kind of justice,” his father Alex Zabala, said at a recent conference where he appealed for public help in finding Palazuelos.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
