Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a person of interest in relation to a veteran’s killing that was discovered earlier this month in a Central Lubbock apartment.
The Metro Special Crimes Unit is currently searching for 38-year-old Michael Anthony Jimenez, who is considered a person of interest in the death of 51-year-old Cristino Gil Ortiz, said LPD spokeswoman Tiffany Taylor.
Ortiz was a U.S. Army veteran who was found dead in his unit in the Lakeview Apartment complex on Feb. 1 in the 2100 block of 38th St., according to police.
He was known to be homeless and was recently provided housing by Vetstar at Lakeview Apartments.
He began living in the unit around November of 2018 and is the last known person to live there, according to police.
“Based on the initial investigation, detectives believe his death is suspicious and foul play was involved,” Taylor said in a news release last week. “At this time, the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. The time of death is also unknown, but detectives now believe his death occurred sometime in November.”
On Monday, Taylor said investigators believe Jimenez may have information about Ortiz’s death and police would like to speak to him, said Taylor.
Like Ortiz, Jimenez is known to be homeless and has ties to the Amarillo area.
Police described Jimenez as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet, 9 inches in height and weighs approximately 190 pounds.
Anyone with information on Jimenez or his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Line at (806) 741-1000. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward, said Taylor.
Through a new partnership, Kerby and Wade Law Offices in Lubbock is dedicating an additional $5,000 to the original Crime Line Reward, bringing the total possible reward to $10,000.
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