SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
News Release

Release #05-28-03
May 28, 2003
For Immediate Release

Media Office 916-433-0808 

Capt. Sam Somers
Sgt. Justin Risley, PIO
PIC Audrey Lee
 
 

Internet: www.sacpd.org 

Reward Offered in Unsolved Homicide

On Thursday, May 29, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department and representatives from the Sund-Carrington Foundation will announce a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in the murder of Arnoldo Gastellum.  This announcement will take place in the Hall of Honor of Police Headquarters (5770 Freeport Blvd.).

On August 27, 2002 at approximately 9:02 p.m., Gastellum was in the garage of his house at 7499 19th Street with other family members.  Four male blacks arrived at the house next door at 7416 19th Street and began yelling at one of the occupants to come outside.  The resident of 7416 19th Street came outside and told the males that the subject they were looking for was not there.  As the subjects were leaving they apparently noticed that Gastellum and several other people were sitting inside the garage, watching television.  One of the males began to walk up Gastellum’s driveway saying something to him.   According to a family friend, Gastellum walked down the driveway and was trying to tell the subject that he did not understand him because he only spoke Spanish.  The suspect approached Gastellum and punched him once in his face.  Gastellum fell backward and struck his head on the driveway and lost consciousness.  The suspect and his friends  got into a vehicle and drove away.  Gastellum was taken by ambulance to the U.C. Davis Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on August 29, 2002 due to the injuries he received in the assault.

Sacramento Police Investigators, the Sund-Carrington Foundation, and a representative of the victim’s family will be available for comment and interview during the press conference.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to please contact the Sacramento Police Department or CRIME ALERT at (916) 443-HELP.

Sergeant Justin Risley