Murder Suspect Mistakenly Released From LA County Jail

LOS ANGELES, CA — The southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway was closed in both directions in Downtown Los Angeles Tuesday while deputies searched for a murder suspect, who managed to evade capture after he was mistakenly released from jail.

The freeway was closed for more than an hour from 3:15 to 4:50 p.m. near Alameda Street, backing up traffic for miles during the rush hour.

Steven Manzo, 23, of Hawaiian Gardens was charged earlier in the day with the July 26, 2018 murder of Salvador Corrales, 24, according to Long Beach police. But the case was erroneously dismissed, and Manzo was released from jail, which led to the manhunt.

"Earlier today, we were notified by Los Angeles District Attorney’s office that suspect Steven Manzo was released from custody after our department had already filed criminal charges. Upon further review, it was determined he should not have been released,” said Long Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Allison Gallagher. “We contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to assist with his apprehension. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department set up a containment perimeter, but they were not able to take him into custody. Our department will work with local agencies to locate suspect Manzo and take him safely into custody.”

Anyone who sees Manzo is urged to call 911.

Murder charges in the case have also been filed against Edity Gonzalez, 33, of Hawaiian Gardens who is alleged to have been present when the shooting occurred and aided Manzo, police said. She was already in custody at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Los Angeles for serving a sentence for unrelated charges.

Long Beach officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired in the 6700 block of Cherry Avenue on the night of July 26, 2018. They found evidence of a shooting but no victim. Corrales' body was later found inside a vehicle in the 5800 block of Florence Avenue in Bell Gardens and evidence linked the shots fired in Long Beach with the death of Corrales, police said.

City News Service contributed to this report.