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2 arrested in Marine's death
Henry Lozano fatally shot 4 years ago after leaving fiancée's home

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It's been more than four years since Henry and Donna Lozano's 20-year-old son was shot to death in Desert Hot Springs, but their patient wait for answers may have finally paid off.

Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney's Office have arrested two suspects in the December 2001 killing of Henry Lozano, a U.S. Marine from Desert Hot Springs.

His parents received word Friday afternoon in Modesto, where they were on a business trip.

"We're happy," Donna Lozano said. "It took a long time, but we're just glad. It's been a long time coming."

Emilio Manuel Avalos, 29, of Desert Hot Springs, and Joel Calderon, 25, of Cathedral City have been charged with murder in Lozano's death.

He was gunned down Dec. 19, 2001, on Palm Drive while driving from his fiancée's home.

The story of the killing spread outside the Coachella Valley. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office had previously offered a $50,000 reward.

Local residents and the Desert Hot Springs Police Department also contributed money for a reward for information on the shooting.

"For the most part, there were a lot of people who saw that, and a lot of people were conscious of this unsolved murder, and I think what it did more than anything else was, it generated a lot of prayers in our community," said Desert Hot Springs City Councilman Hank Hohenstein, who knew Henry Lozano.

"He was just one of those youngsters around town who everyone knew. He was a wonderful kid with a bright personality," Hohenstein said.

A billboard bearing Henry Lozano's picture with a plea for information leading to the arrest of his killers was erected on Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs. It reminded Donna Lozano of her son's untimely passing every time she saw it.

"It was hell driving past there and seeing your baby boy on a billboard," she said. She said she's eager to return home from Modesto.

"I want to go home and see what happens," Donna Lozano said. "I'm in touch with (investigators), though. I could call the district attorney anytime I need to."

Hohenstein said Assistant District Attorney Rod Pacheco was especially integral in completing the investigation. He put in a lot of effort to solve the case, the city councilman said.

"Justice finally catches up to Mr. Avalos and Mr. Calderon, thanks to investigators from the district attorney's office and the Desert Hot Springs Police Department working together to solve this case," Pacheco said in a news release.

Avalos has been identified as the leader of the West Drive Locos gang in Desert Hot Springs, according to the release. Calderon has also been identified as a possible gang member. They were being held at the Riverside County Jail in Indio. Bail was set at $250,000 each.

They are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Riverside County Superior Court in Indio.

"I don't care who you are or who you think you are or where you think you're going, but no one escapes justice, and justice is finally coming," said Henry Lozano's father, also named Henry.

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