West Hollywood - The late May street killing of Wehoan Orlando Ortega, a popular local nightclub employee, may be a small step closer to being solved, according to homicide detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department.  Orlando Ortega, age 31, was shot and killed in West Hollywood late Tuesday night, May 29, 2007. |
Detective Eddie Brown told WeHoNews early this week that, while there has been no big break yet in the case, “We do have a fingerprint and an identifier on a suspect.”
The killing occurred on May 29 at Sweetzer and Willougby Avenues, just two blocks from West Hollywood City Hall, when a single gun shot rang out just after 11 p.m. that woke neighbors.. (For the full story, see Murder Strikes In WeHo - May 30, 2007)
Importantly, Detective Brown noted, the suspect for whom they are looking recently committed a robbery in West Hollywood, leaving behind a match to the print.
“A robbery suspect who eluded capture by Sheriff’s deputies after the robbery is a person of interest in the case,” said Detective Brown. “West Hollywood Station is working on that case, and we hope to ask this person some questions about that night.”
 A photo of Orlando Ortega with a pair of his friends. |
The officer explained that, even if this person was not directly involved, “he may know something that we can use that will lead us to the killer.” he said.
The Sheriff seeks the man pictured below in connection with the crime. Contact the West Hollywood Sheriff Station if you have any information regarding him or the incidents noted above.
Contact Detective Mark Jackson at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station, (310) 855-8850 for information regarding the robbery. Call Det. Eddie Brown at 323) 890-5500 with information pertaining to the Orlando Ortega murder.