19-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped During Shooting at Whittier Park
WHITTIER, Calif. – The family of a 19-year-old girl is pleading for the public’s help in finding her after she was allegedly kidnapped during a shooting at a park in Whittier. Andrea Vazquez was at Penn Park on Penn Street on Sunday night with her boyfriend when an armed man approached their vehicle and opened fire.
According to her sister, Edlyn Vazquez, the boyfriend fled the scene but when he returned, Andrea was nowhere to be found. “As he turned his back to ask for help, in that moment, my sister was kidnapped,” Edlyn said.
The boyfriend noticed blood near their car, leading him to believe that Andrea had been injured. Edlyn was able to track Andrea’s location for a brief period using Apple’s Find My iPhone feature. “I tracked it to… going down the 60. I started following it and the location stopped in Moreno Valley, and that’s the last known location that I have of her,” she explained.
The Vazquez family immediately contacted the police, who conducted a search. However, the search was interrupted due to the passing of Tropical Storm Hilary. “It was just really wet and rainy… I know that they were searching Penn Park,” Edlyn said.
Retired LAPD detective supervisor Moses Castillo is assisting the Vazquez family and expressed concern for Andrea’s safety. “We believe that Andrea was hit, according to her boyfriend who saw blood coming out somewhere from her body,” Castillo stated. “We do know that this case led us all the way to Moreno Valley. She can be anywhere from Riverside County to L.A. County. We’re very concerned.”
Andrea, a fashion design student at Fullerton College, also works at a store in a Cerritos mall. Her family is desperately hoping for her safe return. “She doesn’t deserve this. She’s such a good person,” Edlyn said. “It’s really hard to just wrap our heads around it. It’s hard to sleep. I feel guilty for resting. We have a lot of support, a lot of family that’s been in and out. I don’t even know how we’re coping.”
The Whittier Police Department has posted about the case on its Instagram page, assuring the public that detectives are actively working on the investigation and following up on all leads.
Andrea is described as a 5-foot-3 Hispanic woman with brownish-red hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve crop top, khaki pants, and black low-top Converse sneakers. She has several tattoos, including one on the back of her neck that reads “Edlyn,” a tattoo of an Aries constellation on the top of her right hand, and a belly button piercing.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the police immediately.
How are local authorities collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to locate Andrea?
Briefly, but then the phone was turned off,” Edlyn said.
Authorities have launched an intensive search for Andrea. Whittier Police Department is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to locate the missing girl. They have also reached out to local hospitals in case she was taken for medical treatment.
The motive for the shooting and kidnapping is still unclear. Police are investigating any possible connections between the armed man and Andrea or her boyfriend. They are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras to gather more information about the incident.
Andrea’s family is devastated and desperate for answers. “We just want to know where she is and if she’s okay. We’re terrified for her safety,” Edlyn said tearfully.
Friends and neighbors have joined in the search efforts, distributing flyers and posting on social media to raise awareness about the case. The community is rallying together in hopes of finding Andrea and bringing her home safely.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They believe that someone out there may have witnessed something or have information that could lead them to Andrea. “No detail is too small. It could be the missing piece we need to solve this case,” said Detective Martinez from Whittier Police Department.
As the search continues, Andrea’s loved ones are holding on to hope and praying for her safe return. They are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
“We just want her back. Please, if anyone knows anything, come forward. Help us bring Andrea home,” Edlyn pleaded.
Anyone with information about Andrea’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 567-9200. Callers can also provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
