Video: Councilmember Ed Reyes Offers $50K Reward for Information on Slain Teen

Highland Park teenager Jonathan Val wanted to be a peacemaker.

He was a volunteer at Victory Outreach in Eagle Rock, a participant in the Peace in the Northeast March. He didn't run with local gangs, either.

However, despite all his efforts to rise above the type of violence that is still all too common along Highland Park's avenues, he was gunned down in front of his family's apartment in the 300 block of N. Avenue 57 on Friday, April 28.

Northeast Capt. William Murphy said the department has some "good leads" in the murder investigation, but as of the today not a single arrest has been made in the shooting death of the 17-year-old Val.

According to police, on the afternoon of the shooting Jonathan had just left his aunt's apartment when he was approached by three Hispanic males in a motor vehicle. A passenger began firing shots from the front window, striking Jonathan in the neck and leg.

Officers said the killers had misidentified Jonathan as a gang-member, something he had spent his life working so hard never to be mistaken for.

"He was a good kid," Madeline Rivera, Jonathan's mother, said during a tear-filled address. "He wanted to finish school, he wanted to finish a lot of things. He had a lot of goals."

Rivera referred to Jonathan as her "best friend."

On Thursday afternoon, in effort to encourage any witnesses who may fear retribution for sharing any details about Jonathan's shooting to come forward, Councilman Ed P. Reyes offered $50,000 to anyone who can share information that will lead to an arrest.

"A lot of folks fear retribution for sharing any information with the police, especially because we believe this is a gang related crime," Capt. Murphy said. "We're hoping this is enough money so that whoever comes forward can pick up and maybe start up a new life somewhere else."

Reyes said he hoped the reward would led to some justice for Jonathan's family.

"Please give Jonathan's family and friends some piece of mind so they can begin the long, painful journey of healing."

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call Northeast Homicide Detectives L. Governo or J. Carrillo (213) 847-4261. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.