Gabriel Sean Esparza, 20, is facing multiple charges in connection with the fatal shooting and kidnapping of 19-year-old Andrea Vazquez. The charges include murder, attempted murder, kidnapping to commit rape, kidnapping, assault with intent to commit rape, and attempted forcible rape. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has also alleged special circumstances of murder during a kidnapping and murder during an attempted rape.
During his arraignment on Wednesday, Esparza pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently being held without bail. However, authorities have stated that he confessed to the killing. The incident occurred in the parking stalls area of Penn Park in Whittier, where Esparza allegedly approached Vazquez and her boyfriend shortly after midnight on Sunday and shot at them.
Vazquez’s boyfriend went to seek help, and upon his return, Vazquez was missing. Esparza is accused of kidnapping Vazquez and driving off with her in the bed of his pickup truck. He allegedly took her to a remote area in Moreno Valley, where he attempted to rape her before abandoning her body in a field.
Esparza was apprehended at his place of employment in Lakewood, hours before Vazquez’s body was discovered. If convicted as charged, he could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Esparza is scheduled to appear in court again in October.
District Attorney George Gascón expressed condolences to Vazquez’s family and emphasized the commitment to hold Esparza accountable for his actions.
