Three men face murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Latin singer Maria De La Rosa, known professionally as DELAROSA, who was killed in what prosecutors described as an “ambush-style” attack in Northridge early Saturday morning.
The shooting occurred around 1:25 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2025, near Bryant Street and Tampa Avenue in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Francisco Otilio Gaytan, 27, Benny LiconGomez, 27, and Eduardo Lopez, 21, all from Northridge, approached a parked vehicle where De La Rosa sat with two other people.
The suspects allegedly demanded money from the three occupants before opening fire on the vehicle. All three people inside were struck by gunfire. De La Rosa sustained fatal wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The two other victims suffered critical injuries.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the violence in a statement released after charges were filed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2025. “This was a ruthless and targeted attack that stole the life of a young woman and artist and inflicted profound lifelong trauma on her family and the two survivors,” Hochman said. “My Office will pursue this case aggressively to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable for this senseless and deadly violence.”
The three suspects were each charged with one felony count of murder and two felony counts of attempted second-degree robbery. If convicted as charged, all three men face the possibility of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
Gaytan was arrested on Saturday, the same day as the shooting, and was being held on $2.18 million bail. LiconGomez was arrested the following day, Sunday, Nov. 23, and was being held on $2.28 million bail. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 7, 2026, at the San Fernando Valley Courthouse. An arrest warrant has been issued for Lopez, who remains at large with bail set at $2.2 million. His arraignment will be scheduled once he is apprehended.
The suspects were identified through the combined efforts of LAPD investigators, the FBI Fugitive Task Force, Devonshire Area Gang Enforcement Detail, Mission Area Gang Enforcement Detail, and Valley Bureau Section homicide detectives. According to law enforcement sources, the attack is believed to be gang-related, though the specific motive remains under investigation.
De La Rosa was an aspiring artist in the Latin music scene with a growing presence on social media. She had accumulated more than 40,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shared updates about her music career. In August, she released a Spanish-language single titled “No Me Llames,” which translates to “Don’t Call Me” in English.
The young singer’s mother, Deyanira De La Rosa, spoke with media outlets following her daughter’s death, expressing her grief and seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the killing. The family emphasized that the world had lost not only a kind and beautiful person but also a rising musical talent whose career was just beginning to take shape.
News of De La Rosa’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from prominent figures in the Latin music community and her fans on social media. Colombian reggaeton artist Sharik posted a tribute in Spanish that translates to “I will always love you.” Juan Moises, lead singer of Los Gemelos de Sinaloa, posted three dove emoji in remembrance of the young artist.
The attack highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Ambush-style attacks, particularly those involving robbery attempts that escalate to deadly violence, represent a serious challenge for law enforcement. Gang-related violence continues to impact communities across the city, affecting both residents and visitors who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Authorities indicated that the victims were in the area to meet with friends when they were targeted in the robbery attempt.
The case remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact LAPD detectives Simonyan or Lopez at 818-374-9550. Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips through the department’s online system or by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the prosecution will work to hold the suspects accountable for their alleged actions. The charges filed represent the first step in what will likely be a lengthy judicial process as the district attorney’s office seeks justice for De La Rosa and the two other victims who survived the attack with critical injuries.
