Victim's co-workers hold down suspect after South El Monte fatal shooting

SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A suspect who allegedly shot and killed an employee at a South El Monte business tried to make a run for it, but he was tackled by the victim's co-workers.

The shooting occurred in the 9600 block of Alpaca Street shortly before 8:30 a.m. Sheriff's deputies said the suspect rode a bicycle to the location and asked for the victim, later identified by friends as Hijinio Jimenez Gonzalez, to come outside of his place of work.

When the 22-year-old victim stepped outside, the suspect, identified by sheriff's deputies as 31-year-old Xotoy Santos, shot him multiple times with a revolver, authorities said. Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene.

After hearing the shots go off, Gonzalez's co-workers rushed outside, wrestled Santos to the ground and held him until deputies arrived.

Sheriff's officials said the relationship between Santos and Gonzalez was not clear. However, investigators said a female co-worker of the victim has children in common with Santos. Detectives did not know if that woman and the suspect are currently in a relationship or if the two are estranged.

Friends said although Gonzalez and the woman were just friends, the victim had received threats just days ago.

"It's hard and I don't understand why there's people out there that are going about their day and ruining other people's lives, and that's really, really unfair. I hope that whoever did this pays," said Carlos Aquino, a friend of Gonzalez.

Sheriff's officials said Gonzalez was an employee at a local business called Baby Blue Fashion, Inc. The victim's mother, Ernestina Sanchez, said Gonzalez was a respectful and hardworking immigrant from Mexico, who was saving up money to build his mother a home in the state of Oaxaca.

Santos was cuffed by deputies and booked on suspicion of murder at the Temple sheriff's station.

Deputies recovered a firearm from the scene, which they believe was used by Santos to kill Gonzalez.

The incident does not appear to be gang related, officials said. The investigation is ongoing.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Gonzalez's family for help with funeral expenses. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/23dsbt8q.

If you have any relevant information, you're urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. You can also provide anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or by texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).