Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted by FBI for deadly Los Angeles County shooting
The FBI is searching for a man wanted in connection with a deadly shooting in Los Angeles County.
The suspect was identified as Cesar Villarreal, 46, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
He is known by aliases including “Moreno,” “Rat,” “Black Boy,” “Little Black Boy,” Cesar Garcia and Cesar Moreno. He is a “convicted felon and known gang member,” authorities said.
On May 21, 2010, Villarreal was at a store with his two young daughters when he began arguing with two men.
During the confrontation, Villarreal allegedly pointed his gun at the men who eventually left the store. Shortly after as Villarreal was driving his pickup truck without his daughters, he spotted the men a short distance from the store.
That’s when he allegedly shot the pair, leaving one man dead and the other injured, authorities said.
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Cesar Villarreal, 46, is a fugitive wanted by the FBI for a deadly 2010 shooting in Los Angeles County. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) -
Cesar Villarreal has a tattoo of red lips and the word “Ofelia” on his left chest. He is fully tattooed from above his right chest and around to his back along with his left and right legs below the knees. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) -
Obdulia Medina is the suspect’s longtime companion and may be with him, along with their two daughters. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) -
Cesar Villarreal, 46, is a fugitive wanted by the FBI for a deadly 2010 shooting in Los Angeles County. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) -
Cesar Villarreal, 46, is a fugitive wanted by the FBI for a deadly 2010 shooting in Los Angeles County. (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Villarreal fled the scene and has remained on the run since. He is believed to be living in Mexico, according to detectives. He has previously lived in Baldwin Park and may have ties to Oregon.
He may also be in the company of his longtime companion, Obdulia Medina, who is not a fugitive, the FBI noted.
They may be accompanied by Medina’s daughter, Aileen Cecille Rey Diaz, 23. Villarreal and Medina also have a daughter together, Ahtziri Citlalli Villarreal-Medina, 17, who may also be with them.
Villarreal is described as a Hispanic man around 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 160 to 165 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
He has scars on his back and left ankle. He has a tattoo of red lips and the word “Ofelia” on his left chest. He is fully tattooed from above his right chest and around to his back along with his left and right legs below the knees.
His last known occupation was a concrete mason and cement finisher.
Villarreal was charged with murder by the L.A. County Superior Court and a state warrant was issued for his arrest on June 11, 2010.
A federal arrest warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on August 27, 2010, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Other charges he is wanted for include attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
The FBI is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. He should also be considered “armed and extremely dangerous.”
Anyone who knows Villarreal’s whereabouts or has information on the case is asked to contact a local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
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A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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