Newsom Announces $50,000 Rewards in 4 Unsolved Southern California Killings

Lamontee Stevenson (L) and Gregory Ruffin. (San Diego County Crime Stoppers)

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four $50,000 rewards March 29 for information to solve four homicides in Southern California—two in Orange County and two in San Diego.

When they have exhausted all other leads, California law enforcement may ask the governor to issue rewards in certain unsolved cases to encourage those with information to speak out.

In Santa Ana, authorities are offering the reward to anyone with information leading to a conviction in the killing of Victoria Barrios, 18, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on Aug. 30, 2019.

Surveillance video shows someone firing a gun from the rear passenger side of a red SUV, according to reports from the OC Register in September 2019.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is also investigating the death of 61-year-old Alan Schwalbe, who was fatally stabbed in his home in Costa Mesa on Aug. 11, 1993.

Anyone with information can contact the department’s Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390.

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In December 2022, authorities said they were re-examining the case and asked for the public’s help.

Though there appeared to be evidence of a struggle, no signs of forced entry were discovered, and it did not appear that Mr. Schwalbe’s home had been ransacked, authorities said in a December 2022 statement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Bob Taft with the department’s Cold Case Detail at 714-647-7055 or [email protected].

In San Diego, authorities are offering the reward for information on the unsolved fatal shooting of 22-year-old Gregory Ruffin near an apartment complex on Feb. 24, 2019.

San Diego police are also seeking information on the shooting death of 19-year-old Lamontee Stevenson at a party on Aug. 17, 2019.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact the agency online.