Family pleads for help to solve Wilmington father's slaying
A Wilmington family pleaded Wednesday for someone to come forward to help police find the killer of a 25-year-old father, gunned down in May as he headed home to meet his girlfriend for dinner.James Ryan Dominguez died May 18 when a gunman in another vehicle shot him at Wilmington Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.
The motive remains unknown.
"It's not fair," said Dominguez's girlfriend, Talina Perez, holding their 6-year-old son in her arms. "It's insane."
About 50 of Dominguez's family members and friends gathered at the intersection, where detectives held a news conference to announce a $50,000 reward.
"He was a great father and a great son and we all miss him," said his grandmother, Marie Dominguez. "If you know anything, please, please. This is my grandson we are talking about. Please, if you know anything, please come forward. I'm begging you."
Los Angeles police investigators believe someone had to see something
that can help them find the killer. The crime occurred in daylight at
5:45 p.m.
Officer Fernando Rivas said Dominguez was driving his 2000 black Ford Expedition north on Wilmington Boulevard approaching Pacific Coast Highway when a red vehicle drove alongside him. Someone inside opened fire.
The wounded man's sport utility rolled across the intersection and crashed. Dominguez died at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Rivas said detectives have investigated all their leads in the case and have reached an impasse. They need somebody to tell what they saw.
"We know there were people out there," Rivas said.
Family members said Dominguez, a casual longshoreman, had unsuccessfully sought work that day at the port and was returning home. He planned to have dinner with Perez.
"James was a really good man," said his mother, Gloria Dominguez. "He had the biggest heart. He would do anything for anybody."
Dominguez grew up in Wilmington, attending school at Fries Elementary, St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, and Banning High, where he met Perez.
"He was a Wilmington boy through and through," said his aunt, Liz Dominguez-Phillips.
Dominguez had achieved his dream of working at the docks at a casual longshoreman and loved playing football and T-ball with his son, James Jr., who he nicknamed "Sunny."
The boy's mother, tears streaming from her eyes, said their boy talks about his father every day.
"He tells me he misses him," Perez said, holding the boy against her heart. "He misses his dad."
Investigators asked anyone with information about the homicide to call them at 310-726-7900 Monday through Friday or 877-LAPD-24-7 after hours. Anonymous tips can be made to 1-800-222-TIPS.
Dominguez-Phillips said the family needs answers.
"It has torn us apart because we don't know why," the aunt said. "It has wounded us deeply. We don't want this person to just go and do this to someone else's family."
Officer Fernando Rivas said Dominguez was driving his 2000 black Ford Expedition north on Wilmington Boulevard approaching Pacific Coast Highway when a red vehicle drove alongside him. Someone inside opened fire.
The wounded man's sport utility rolled across the intersection and crashed. Dominguez died at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Rivas said detectives have investigated all their leads in the case and have reached an impasse. They need somebody to tell what they saw.
"We know there were people out there," Rivas said.
Family members said Dominguez, a casual longshoreman, had unsuccessfully sought work that day at the port and was returning home. He planned to have dinner with Perez.
"James was a really good man," said his mother, Gloria Dominguez. "He had the biggest heart. He would do anything for anybody."
Dominguez grew up in Wilmington, attending school at Fries Elementary, St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, and Banning High, where he met Perez.
"He was a Wilmington boy through and through," said his aunt, Liz Dominguez-Phillips.
Dominguez had achieved his dream of working at the docks at a casual longshoreman and loved playing football and T-ball with his son, James Jr., who he nicknamed "Sunny."
The boy's mother, tears streaming from her eyes, said their boy talks about his father every day.
"He tells me he misses him," Perez said, holding the boy against her heart. "He misses his dad."
Investigators asked anyone with information about the homicide to call them at 310-726-7900 Monday through Friday or 877-LAPD-24-7 after hours. Anonymous tips can be made to 1-800-222-TIPS.
Dominguez-Phillips said the family needs answers.
"It has torn us apart because we don't know why," the aunt said. "It has wounded us deeply. We don't want this person to just go and do this to someone else's family."
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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I truly believe that the Dominguez family should have closier and justic. These honorable people, are good people, loving people. The family has suffered a tragic. They should not be suffering from those negative people, that are showing their ignorance. By posting evil unjustifing stuff, that they don't need at their time of grieving. And to those whom are blogging rediculos posting messages. You are the purpose people, that are giving our Town a bad name, as well the inocents. A bad name. Get real,, and dont bother the Dominguez's again. Unless you have seen or want to step up and talk about the Capture of James Killer. He will be soon found, I promise you this much. If he does not turn himself in, the Towns people Will!! We need to all stick together.Never mind the money, What would you do, if this was your Son, that was killed in cold blood? Yes im sure you would be pleading the town people to help you out. So do the favor, HELP THE DOMINGUEZ FAMILY FIND THIS KILLER!!. I post this, from my heart. As well have a son too. Love always to the "Dominguez Family". Blessings Star.