Sheriff’s detectives searching for the triggerman responsible for gunning down a Canyon Country man and leaving him for dead at a Santa Clarita park, officials said Tuesday morning.
At about 5 a.m., the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s 911 center received a report of gunfire near Abelia Road and Via Gardenia near Soledad Canyon Road near Shadow Pines, according to sheriff’s Lt. Doug Mohroff.
Responding units discovered a male Hispanic adult dead from an apparent gunshot wound at Begonias Lane Park between Begonias Lane and Abelia Road.
Although the county coroner’s office has not officially released the victim’s identity, the man was later identified by his younger sister as 25-year-old Ivan Solis of Canyon Country.
A perimeter was immediately established to secure the area as homicide detectives were dispatched to the scene.
Shadow Pines resident Bonnie Fortner Raitt recalled sitting on her porch at about 4:55 a.m. when she heard what sounded like gunshots.
“I was outside and heard multiple gunfire,” she said. “Four to five rounds, a slight pause and then a few more.”
Raitt’s account falls in line with other residents in the area who said they heard a slight commotion before five to six pop sounds.
Lt. Rodney Moore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau noted Solis suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene near the 14900 of Begonias Lane.
As of 3 p.m., detectives had not publicized any suspect information but they did focus morning efforts on a black Lincoln MKX crossover parked on Via Gardena, about 100 to 200 feet from the victim.
Moore said investigators were not sure if the vehicle was directly involved with the shooting, but did confirm the SUV would be scrutinized thoroughly as a precaution.
Several people were initially placed in the back of at least three sheriff’s patrol cars, but were not considered persons of interest nor suspects, the lieutenant said. Those individuals were questioned and treated as possible witnesses, investigators confirmed.
Tuesday morning, Moore said detectives were unsure if any narcotics played a role in the crime, but were considering all possibilities.
As Tuesday came to a close, Solis’ sister Jessica Razo shared some insight on the brother who often protected her when she was most vulnerable.
“He was a very good person,” she said. “I don’t know why this happened to him. He didn’t deserve this. It’s not fair.”
The two siblings, a mere five years apart in age, often traveled to Knotts Berry Farm, Razo recalled.
Nervous about some of the rides at the theme park, Solis’ sister remembered her older brother providing reassurance through his laugh and accompanying smile. Razo said her brother was a father of three young children.
“My brother was a very friendly outgoing person,” Razo said, “but I didn’t know much about his life out in the world.”
Sheriff’s investigators were still working to determine a motive for the shooting and are hopeful they capture the triggerman responsible for Solis’ death.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To leave an anonymous tip, call CrimeStoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
As more details are received and vetted for accuracy, this story will be updated.
