September 30, 2025: Man Sentenced to More Than 24 Years in Prison for Killing Off-Duty Monterey Park Police Officer Gardiel Solorio

In 2022, Officer Solorio was gunned down shortly after driving into the Downey Landing Mall parking lot

NORWALK, Calif. - Defendant Gerardo Magallanes was sentenced yesterday to 24 years and eight months in state prison for the murder of off-duty Monterey Park Police Officer Gardiel Solorio in August 2022.

"Officer Solorio dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community, and his murder was a devastating loss to his family, his colleagues, and all of Los Angeles County and beyond," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "This sentence delivers justice and sends a clear message: Those who bring violence to our streets will be held fully accountable. I want to thank our Crimes Against Peace Officers Division, particularly Deputy District Attorneys Geoffrey Lewin and Stephen Lonseth for their outstanding work in securing this result. My office will continue to pursue the toughest penalties against those who target law enforcement officers and endanger the public."

Magallanes pleaded no contest in case VA158939 to one count of voluntary manslaughter with the admission of gang and gun allegations, and one count of the unlawful possession of a firearm.

He was sentenced on Sept. 29 in the Norwalk Courthouse by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph R. Porras.

On Aug. 8, 2022, at 3:20 p.m., Officer Solorio, who had recently graduated from the police academy, had just arrived in an outdoor parking lot at the Downey Landing Mall. Magallanes, co-defendant Carlos Delcid (dob 4/21/02), and a 17-year-old minor followed Solorio to the parking spot where Solorio was preparing to exit his black Dodge Charger. Before Solorio could exit, Delcid approached Solorio at gunpoint and demanded Solorio's car. Solorio put his car in reverse and attempted to flee as Delcid allegedly fired five shots into Solorio at close range. Although Magallanes remained in the getaway car during the shooting, he later admitted to providing the gun to Delcid.

A pretrial hearing for Delcid is scheduled for Oct. 7 in Department G of the Norwalk courthouse. Delcid returned to the nearby vehicle and fled with Magallanes and the 17-year-old driver, who was filed on in juvenile court and later pleaded no contest in adult court for his participation in the crime, receiving 11 years imprisonment. Delcid faces life in prison if convicted as charged.

The case concerning Magallanes was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Geoffrey Lewin and Stephen Lonseth of the Crimes Against Peace Officers Division and investigated by the Downey Police Department.