A cellphone call has given detectives a glimpse into the last moments of the young Marine slain a week ago in Los Angeles, but more clues will be needed to identify the killer, police said Friday as the city council approved a $50,000 reward fund.
"Don't give up on this. We need justice," implored Claudia Perez, a friend of the family of Lance Cpl. Carlos Segovia Lopez.
He was on weekend liberty from Camp Pendleton and had just left the home of his girlfriend's family when he was fatally wounded with a single shot to the head. He was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car.
Segovia Lopez was having a cellphone conversation when it appeared he became aware of something suspicion, and then the line went silent, according to Capt. Peter Whittingham, commander of the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide section.
"It is very possible that he might have seen some suspicious activity or maybe even a crime in progress," Whittingham said. "And it appears to us that something happened in that instant where he was killed, I'm sure by the person or persons who he observed and who he had some concerns about their activity."
Nevertheless, investigators so far have been unable to obtain direct witness counts or evidence that incrimates a specific individual, and there does not appear to be any security camera video that could shed light on what happened, Whittingham told the council.
A solemness descended on council chambers as Whittingham and loved ones of Segovia Lopez spoke of his dedication to service. In high school, he had begun volunteering for a number of non-profit causes, including LA on Cloud 9, which aids the homeless. After graduating from Foshay Learning Center last year, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, but during leave time continued to volunteer, said Perez, the organization's founder.
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After the shooting, which did devestating damage to the brain, Segovia Lopez remained on life support for several days before it was determined the injury was irreversible. He had chose to be an organ donor.
His kidneys and pancreas were transplanted to recipients in northern California, a man in his 40's and a woman in her 70's, it was revealed Friday by Tom Mone, executive director of OneLegacy.
Memorial arrangements for Segovia Lopez will include a viewing 4-9pm Thursday, October 4, at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.
His life will be commemorated during a funeral mass at 9:30am the following morning at the Cathedral of the Angels, 555 W. Temple Street.
"He was more than a brother. He was my hero," said his sister, Cynthia, 13. She spoke of her brother's ambitions someday to attend the University of Southern California and to become a leader.
"Now I want to finish his dreams," she said, pledging to work for admission to USC, and to explore enlisting somebody in the US Navy.
Family and investigators ask anyone with information on the case to contact detectives directly at 323-786-5110, or 877-LAPD247.
