Los Angeles County approves $100,000 reward for ambush witnesses

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved the distribution of $100,000 in reward money to two witnesses whose information led to the arrest and conviction of a man involved in a 2020 ambush of two sheriff’s deputies.

On September 12, 2020, Deonte Lee Murray ambushed Deputies Claudia Apolinar and Emmanuel Perez-Perez at a Compton transit center. The shooting occurred two days after deputies killed Murray’s close friend, Sam Herrera, during a search warrant execution. Prosecutors stated Murray sought revenge for the death of his friend.

The attack left both deputies seriously injured. Deputy Apolinar suffered gunshot wounds to her jaw and arms, resulting in permanent scarring. Murray was convicted in 2023 of multiple felonies, including attempted murder of peace officers, and was sentenced to a term ranging from 164 years to life in prison.

A review panel determined the distribution of the funds, awarding 90% of the reward to one witness and 10% to the other to reflect the varying impact of their testimonies on the case. The identities of the witnesses have not been disclosed.