By THOMAS WATKINS Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
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LOS ANGELES— An off-duty sheriff’s deputy who was shot and killed outside his home appeared to have been well respected by the inmates he looked after, an official said Tuesday.
Investigators looking into the slaying of Juan Escalante, 27, are considering the possibility he was killed as a result of his work at the Men’s Central Jail, where he escorted some of the region’s most dangerous inmates to the exercise yard, police Capt. Denis Cremins said.
Detectives interviewed several “high-power” inmates and it appeared none of them had a problem with the Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, Cremins said.
“He was known and respected by them,” Cremins said.
Cremins said the probe was in its early stages and investigators had not discounted the possibility Escalante was killed by a former inmate or someone associated with a jailed gang member. Los Angeles County’s jails are home to various gangs including members of the prison-based Mexican Mafia.
Cremins said a plain-clothed Escalante was shot as he was moving a child’s seat from one of his cars to another early Saturday morning. The 2 1/2-year deputy was getting ready to go to work at the jail.
He was hit multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses had told police someone inside a white car opened fire but Cremins said new reports suggested the car could have been silver or another light color.
Authorities were also investigating the possibility that Escalante was killed randomly or if gang members mistook him for a rival.
Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes, who represents the Cypress Park neighborhood where Escalante lived, on Monday announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the deputy’s killer.
Escalante’s funeral was set for Friday morning at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels downtown.