A 20-year-old man named Gabriel Sean Esparza has been charged with a series of crimes in relation to the fatal shooting and kidnapping of Andrea Vazquez, 19, which also includes attempted rape, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has announced.
Esparza has been charged with one count each of murder, willful, deliberate, and premeditated attempted murder, kidnapping to commit rape, kidnapping, assault with the intent to commit rape, and two counts of attempted forcible rape. Special circumstances of murder during a kidnapping and murder during an attempted rape have also been alleged.
Esparza pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment on Wednesday and is currently being held without bail. Despite his plea, authorities have reported that Esparza confessed to the killing.
According to officials, Esparza approached Vazquez and her boyfriend shortly after midnight Sunday in the parking stalls area of Penn Park in Whittier and allegedly shot at them. He is accused of then kidnapping Vazquez, driving her to a remote area of Moreno Valley, attempting to rape her, and then abandoning her body in a field.
Esparza was arrested at his workplace in Lakewood hours before the discovery of Vazquez’s body. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential life sentence without parole. His next court appearance is scheduled for October.
District Attorney George Gascón expressed deep condolences to Vazquez’s family and vowed to work diligently to hold Esparza accountable for his actions.
This case serves as a devastating reminder of the importance of public safety initiatives, community vigilance, and the tireless work of law enforcement and the justice system to ensure justice is served for victims and their families.