On September 9, 2021, Jason Cortez flew from Virginia to Los Angeles to collaborate on a photography project with his long time friend, a local LA creative. While working together, they had a last-minute idea to visit Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. On September 10, 2021, Jason and his friend took photos around the park, and were leaving at around 3:30pm when Jason was suddenly shot in the back and killed.

Jason’s friend was walking a few steps ahead of him and did not see the suspect, but heard a gunshot. After Jason fell to the ground the friend panicked, called 9-1-1, and began administering CPR.

A fellow hiker in the park who had crossed Jason’s path earlier also heard the gunshot. This person saw the suspect poke out of the bushes holding what appeared to be a long rifle. The suspect was approximately 75-100 feet away from Jason. The hiker immediately ran to assist Jason and stayed until paramedics arrived.

The hiker described the suspect to the LAPD as male, hispanic, 5’10 to 5’11 height, and between 20-30 years old. The suspect wore a blue hooded sweater.

Jason had no connections to any gangs, nefarious activity, and no ties to Los Angeles. Jason’s wife, Corina Solorzano, was in Virginia at the time of the incident when she was notified.

As Detective Abundis stated at the first LAPD Press Conference in December 2021, “He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is another example of a senseless killing. There’s no motive behind this. I can’t explain it.”

While there have been shootings in the area surrounding the park, there has never been a shooting inside the park or on that trail, and never in the afternoon or in the manner Jason was shot. This is the only random shooting to have ever occurred in the area of this type.

The LAPD describes the shooting as random and completely unprovoked. In a case like this, the use of a long rifle is unusual, especially that it was not at close distance. Only one shot was fired. The LAPD believes it was a small caliber, possibly a .22. There were no shell cases found at the scene.

The police do not believe that the shooting was gang-related or was for a gang initiation. Police questioned people living in nearby homeless encampments, and a sweep was conducted. The LAPD did not uncover firearms during this sweep. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is a 300-acre park and there are no surveillance cameras near the trail that Jason was shot.

The LAPD has issued a $50,000 reward for any information related to Jason’s case.

If you have any information related to Jason’s case, please contact Detective Abundis at 213-486-8700 or to submit anonymous tips, call 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.