Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division are searching for a gunman who murdered a 41-year-old Los Angeles resident on Dec. 17 on Witmer Street, between 3rd and 6th Streets, west of downtown Los Angeles.

The victim, Juan Jose Barajas Jr. was shot around 12:20 a.m. in the 400 block of S. Witmer St. Arriving officers found Barajas lying unresponsive on the ground, and paramedics took the victim to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Witnesses told investigators that Barajas was standing on the porch in front of his apartment when a car passed by and someone inside fired several shots. The vehicle was described as a gold-colored sedan, possibly a Ford or Chevrolet. Barajas is not a documented gang member, and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with information is urged to contact homicide detective J. Motto at (213)484-3641, or Det. Linscomb at (213)484-3642. During weekends and off-hours, call the LAPD’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at (877)LAPD247.