US NEWS CENTER
11/24/2023
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Detectives and the family of victim Giovannie Guttierez held a press conference today and offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect Jose Guadalupe Mendoza.
On Sunday, November 20, 2022, 26-year-old Giovanni Gutierrez and his girlfriend Sarah Mendoza were involved in a domestic verbal dispute when he took her cellphone. Sarah met with the victim at a park and ride, in the city of Palmdale, to retrieve the cellphone the following day on November 21st. After returning the phone, the two engaged in a verbal argument and Sarah drove away from the location. Victim Gutierrez followed Sarah in his vehicle and the two engaged in a vehicle chase.
Sarah stated victim Gutierrez attempted to strike her vehicle several times causing her to swerve onto oncoming traffic. Sarah swerved back into her lane and the vehicles collided. Sarah stopped her vehicle in the center media of Sierra Highway. Victim Gutierrez stopped behind Sarah and approached the vehicle on foot. The victim opened Sarah’s drivers’ door and began to search for her phone. Sarah called her sister for help as victim Gutierrez was searching her person and her vehicle for the phone.
Victim Gutierrez removed the keys from the ignition of Sarah’s vehicle and drove away leaving Sarah stranded in the middle of the road. Sarah’s sister called 911 to report Sarah was being assaulted, while Sarah’s younger sister called her father, 59-year-old suspect, Jose Guadalupe Mendoza. Sarah’s younger sister told her father, victim Gutierrez, was assaulting Sarah.
Suspect Jose Medoza drove to the area where Sarah was stranded. Victim Gutierrez returned to Sarah’s location prior to Jose Mendoza’s arrival and continued to look for Sarah’s cellphone inside her vehicle. Sarah stated she was sitting in her vehicle when victim Gutierrez was searching inside her vehicle. She then heard her father’s voice tell victim Gutierrez to leave them alone. Sarah then heard a single gunshot and saw her father leave the scene in his vehicle.
Suspect Jose Mendoza drove to Palmdale Sheriff Station to turn himself in and waited approximately 12 minutes in the lobby of the station. He walked out of the lobby and has not been seen since he left the station.
Investigators submitted this case to the District Attorney’s office, and they filed a murder charge on Jose Guadlupe Mendoza in April of this year. A warrant was issued for Jose G. Mendoza on April 26, 2023, for murder.
The victim’s Gutierrez family is seeking justice for their son and have raised $5,000 dollars that they want to offer as a reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Jose Guadulupe Mendoza.
During the press conference, Max Valadez (the victim’s uncle) spoke on behalf of the family and said, “On November 21st, 2022, we lost Giovanni Guttierrez. It’s been a tough first year without him. The family worked tirelessly to raise money on their own to bring awareness and find the person responsible for the crime committed. We will not stop fighting for Giovanni. He was a wonderful soul, full of love. My sister, brother-in-law, brothers, sisters, and family miss him so much. His spirit lives within us and he will never be forgotten. We want justice for G, and we are offering a reward of $5,000 dollars to anyone who provides information and leads to the arrest of the suspect.”
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 26 year old Hispanic man in Palmdale and are seeking the public’s help in locating the shooter.
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to the 37000 block of Sierra Highway regarding a domestic violence call for service yesterday, November 21, 2022, around 4:47 PM. Upon arriving, deputies discovered the victim, identified as Giovannie Gutierrez of Palmdale, lying unresponsive in the middle of the street suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Victim Gutierrez was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his gunshot wound injuries.
Investigators have learned Victim Gutierrez was the source of the domestic violence call for service. Witnesses stated Victim Gutierrez had been in his car, a white Chrysler 300M sedan, and had been chasing his ex-girlfriend who was driving a gray compact car. In the course of Victim Gutierrez’s pursuit of his ex-girlfriend, the two cars collided at least one time. The cars both stopped in the middle of Sierra Highway north of Avenue S. It was reported that Victim Gutierrez attempted to force entry into his ex-girlfriend’s car as she was seeking help from family members who had called 9-1-1. As Victim Gutierrez was attempting to gain entry into the young woman’s car, a white Ford Ranger pick-up arrived at the scene. A passenger exited the Ford Ranger, approached Victim Gutierrez and shot him once in the head. The shooter has been identified as Jose G. Mendoza of Little Rock. Mr. Mendoza is the father of Victim Gutierrez’s ex-girlfriend.
Mr. Mendoza is described as a male Hispanic, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5′ 06″ tall and weighs 140lbs.Mr. Mendoza is believed to be armed with a semi-automatic handgun and should not be approached.
