Three men face murder charges in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Latin singer Maria De La Rosa, known professionally as DELAROSA, in what Los Angeles County prosecutors described as an ambush-style attack in Northridge over the weekend.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1:25 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, near Bryant Street and Tampa Avenue. According to the Los Angeles Times, De La Rosa was sitting in the passenger seat of a parked vehicle with two other people when the suspects approached and demanded money before opening fire.
All three occupants were struck by gunfire. De La Rosa was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The two other victims sustained critical injuries, though their current conditions have not been disclosed.
Francisco Otilio Gaytan, Benny LiconGomez, both reportedly 27, and Eduardo Lopez, reportedly 21, all from Northridge, were charged Tuesday, Nov. 26, with one felony count of murder and two felony counts of attempted second-degree robbery.
Gaytan was arrested on the day of the shooting and is being held in lieu of $2.18 million bail. LiconGomez was arrested Sunday, Nov. 23, and is being held on $2.28 million bail. Lopez remains at large, with an arrest warrant issued for his apprehension. His bail has been set at $2.2 million.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the violence in a statement released Wednesday. “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 crime is believed to be gang-related, though investigators have not released additional details about the motive. The LAPD worked alongside the FBI Fugitive Task Force, Devonshire Area Gang Enforcement Detail, Mission Area Gang Enforcement Detail, and Valley Bureau Section homicide detectives to identify the suspects.
If convicted as charged, all three defendants face the possibility of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Arraignments for both Gaytan and LiconGomez are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at the San Fernando Valley Courthouse. Lopez’s arraignment will be scheduled once he is taken into custody.
De La Rosa had built a significant following on social media, with over 40,000 followers on Instagram. She released her Spanish-language single “No Me Llames,” which translates to “Don’t Call Me,” in August. The song showcased her emerging talent in the Latin music scene and demonstrated her potential as a rising artist.
Her final Instagram post from late October showed her with an electric guitar in a recording studio, hinting at new music in development. The caption, written in Spanish, indicated she was busy working on new material in the studio.
The death of the young performer has prompted an outpouring of grief from prominent figures in the Latin music community. Colombian reggaeton artist Sharik wrote a tribute in Spanish expressing eternal love for De La Rosa. Juan Moises, lead singer of Los Gemelos de Sinaloa, posted three dove emojis in commemoration.
De La Rosa’s mother, Deyanira De La Rosa, spoke to CBS News about her daughter’s death, seeking answers about what happened. “She was so young… They stole her life,” the mother said of her daughter, describing her as not only a talented musician but also a kind and beautiful person.
The case highlights the intersection of gang violence and random attacks that can affect anyone, even those simply meeting friends or sitting in a parked car. Robbery attempts that escalate to murder carry severe penalties under California law, with special circumstances that can enhance sentencing to life without parole.
The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the case and is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Operations Valley Bureau Homicide detectives at 818-374-9550. Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers.
The incident has left the Latin music community mourning the loss of a promising young artist whose career was just beginning to flourish. Music producers and fellow musicians have shared memories and condolences on social media, with several noting her youth and talent.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case serves as a reminder of how senseless violence can cut short promising lives and devastate families. The prosecution of all three suspects will be closely watched by those seeking justice for De La Rosa and accountability for what authorities have characterized as a calculated and brutal attack.
