Suspected Gunman Charged With Murder, Still At Large

COACHELLA – The man accused of killing a 16-year-old boy in Coachella on Thursday has been officially charged with the crime, while he’s still on the loose.

Police say Angel Esparza shot and killed Angel Luna after an argument outside the Boys and Girls Club in Coachella Thursday afternoon. Luna died at the scene, while two schools and the Boys and Girls Club were put on lockdown while authorities looked for Esparza.

Esparza faces charges of first-degree murder with a special allegation that he used a gun during the commission of a crime and an enhancement for a prior felony conviction.

“This is another example of gang violence that plagues our communities,” said District Attorney Rod Pacheco. “Its killing our youth, we have to stop it, and we will.”

Pacheco added Esparza to Riverside County’s Most Wanted Fugutive List.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Ramirez at the Coachella Police Department at (760) 863-8990 or Detective Patterson at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at 760-393-3523.

Tips can also be processed anonymously through CRIME STOPPERS at (760) 341-STOP. Information resulting in an arrest and conviction can result in a reward of up to $1,000.