Relatives mourn Southern California father killed by off-duty LAPD officer

Family members are devastated after a Southern California father was shot and killed by an off-duty LAPD officer.

Family and friends held a vigil on Thursday evening demanding justice for the death of 37-year-old Hugo Cachua, father of three young children.

“He was the best,” said Luc Cachua, Hugo’s mother. “That’s why so many people came (to the vigil), because he was so lovable. Everyone who met him loved him.”

The incident occurred on May 30 in Ontario near North Euclid Avenue and West 6th Street when Cachua and Victor Corral, an off-duty Los Angeles police officer, became involved in a heated argument after a fender bender was reported around 8:30 p.m.

Both men left their vehicles and the situation escalated into a physical altercation.

Dashcam video from a passing vehicle showed the two men wrestling on a neighborhood sidewalk when suddenly three gunshots were heard.

Family members said Cachua was unarmed and was shot in the back. According to the Los Angeles Times, Corral had been on sick leave for about a year at the time due to an injury.

On Thursday evening, Cachua was honored by friends and family who held a vigil near the site where he was killed.

“He was everything to us,” said Luis Cachua, Hugo’s brother. “Our knight in shining armor. He held our family together.”

Manuel Acevedo, a family friend, said he attended the vigil to “help the mother and the family. To show respect and honor to (Hugo’s mother) and to support her in the difficulties she is going through.”

Hugo was an Amazon delivery driver, father of three young children and older brother of five siblings.

Her family members are devastated and desperately searching for answers. Some are wondering why Corral was armed in the first place.

Hugo’s family said they have not received any news about the LAPD officer or the status of the investigation.

“We want answers,” Luis said. “We want justice for our brother. We can’t just sit there and let (the police officer) live his life while we suffer, mourn and lament.”

An LAPD spokesman said the department was “aware of the shooting and is fully cooperating with the investigation,” but no further comment was made.

The California Department of Justice will lead the investigation into the fatal incident.

A GoFundMe page set up to help Hugo’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.