reward

Octavio Montano Islas is suspected of crashing into apartment building killing Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and three year-old Samantha Palacios

Octavio Montano Islas. Courtesy: LBPD

Los Angeles, CA – This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to reestablish the County’s $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of 24 year-old Octavio Montano Islas, who was identified as the drunk driver responsible for the deaths of 42-year-old Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and his three-year-old daughter Samantha Palacios as they slept in their North Long Beach apartment.

Around 10pm on March 1, 2022, Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a collision of a vehicle into an apartment building near the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue. Jose Palacios-Gonzalez was declared deceased at the scene, while Samantha was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. LBPD detectives identified the driver, who fled the scene, as Montano Islas.

“Samantha had an entire life ahead of her until Octavio Montano Islas viciously cut it short. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish that Samantha and Jose’s family have felt since this loss, but we’re committed to bringing the man responsible for it to justice,” said Hahn. “If you know where Octavio is or where he might have gone, please share that information with detectives.”
The vehicle that Montano Islas was driving was a 2014 Dodge Ram. Detectives believe Montano Islas was drunk at the time of the crash. An arrest warrant was issued for him on two counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony driving under the influence, and one count of felony hit and run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scott Jenson of the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at (562) 570-7218.

Full-size image of Montano Islas available here

Mother of two succumbed to gunshot wound on residential street

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to establish the County’s $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the September 15, 2024 murder of Los Angeles resident Irene Gonzalez in the City of Lynwood. Gonzalez was shot while exiting a dark four-door sedan after spending a few minutes in the passenger seat. After being shot, Gonzalez ran southbound from the vehicle before collapsing in front of 12522 Oak Street, where she succumbed to the gunshot wound. She was declared deceased by responding LA County Fire Department personnel at 5:55 am.

Gonzalez left behind an adult autistic son and one juvenile son.

“This was a vicious, close-range shooting, and now there are two sons without the mother they so needed. Solving this crime won’t bring their mom back, but Irene and her loved ones deserve justice, and this violent criminal with no regard for human life belongs behind bars,” said Hahn. “We need the public’s help here. If you saw or may have seen something, please call us. Irene’s sons need you.”

The vehicle from which Gonzalez emerged and was shot was described as an older model four-door black sedan with tinted windows and a sunroof, and was parked in front of 12514 Oak Street at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau Detective Lt. Mike Gomez at (323) 890-5500 or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).