The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau held a press conference regarding an incident involving Redondo Beach Police Department officers who were fired upon.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Vizcarra discussed the details of the attempted murder of two Redondo Beach Police officers.
The incident occurred on Friday, February 21, 2025, when two Redondo Beach Police Department officers assigned to a South Bay DUI Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a male motorcyclist in the 12800 block of Prairie Avenue in the city of Hawthorne.
The motorcyclist was later identified as 35-year-old Lester Yohan Castro, a resident of Hawthorne.
Shortly after the officers contacted Castro, he fled the scene on foot. Both officers initiated a foot pursuit.
The officers followed Castro to the 12900 block of Roselle Avenue, where Castro produced a handgun and fired several rounds at the officers. One of the officers returned fire.
Following the exchange of gunfire, Castro fled into the rear yards of nearby homes. Officers established a containment perimeter; however, Castro was not located.
The Redondo Beach Police Chief, Joe Hoffman, said, “I am grateful that the violent act against two Redondo Beach Police Department officers did not add to the list of fallen officers.”
The City of Redondo Beach has authorized a $10,000 reward for information leading to Castro’s arrest and conviction.
Homicide investigators are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Castro, who is known to frequent the city of Hawthorne and the unincorporated area of Lennox. Castro is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.