Coroner's officials: Man found dead in Pico Rivera alley was not shot

PICO RIVERA -- A father and grandfather found dead in an alley was not shot, as initially reported by sheriff's officials, but rather died of "blunt trauma," coroner officials said Wednesday.
Ernest Salazar, 48, of Pico Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene after his body was found about 3:30 a.m. Sunday in an alley north of the 9300 block of Beverly Road, authorities said.
Although it was initially reported by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials as a shooting death, Salazar died from "multiple blunt trauma inflicted by another," Los Angeles County Department of Coroner investigator Katalin Van Meter said. His death was deemed a homicide as he was struck in the head with an unknown object.
Detective Q. Rodriguez of the sheriff's Homicide Bureau said investigators were left with few clues.
"We don't know what he was hit with," Rodriguez said.
"We don't believe he was hit by a car at this time."
One reason the death may have been first listed as a shooting was the account witnesses first gave authorities, Rodriguez said.
"Initially somebody claimed they heard gunshots," he said. "We never found anyone who told us that."
Although one neighbor said he heard gunshots the night Salazar's body was found, he said he heard them several hours before the body was discovered.
Family members said Salazar was a generous and dedicated family man who was well-known and well-liked in the area.
Authorities said they believe Salazar had ties to an area street gang but that he was not an active member.
A curb-side memorial to Salazar erected Sunday featured the letters "VPV" -- an acronym for the Pico Rivera street gang Varrio Pico Viejo -- and Salazar had several tattoos related to the gang, Rodriguez said.
He did not appear to be involved in gang life at the time of his death, however, the detective said.
"We don't believe he was active," Rodriguez said.
Family members also said he was not involved in gang activity.
Salazar is survived by three grown children and several grandchildren, family members said. He had just turned 48 on June 6.
"He was a good man that had good character," said Salazar's sister, Mary Salazar. "To know him was to love him."
Rodriguez said detectives are continuing to search for clues.
"We are still looking into all aspects," he said. "We're looking for witnesses."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.