News Releases

December 29, 2020: Whittier Man Charged with Killing Wife

Contact: 
Pamela J. Johnson, Public Information Officer
(213) 257-2000

A 41-year-old man has been charged with fatally shooting his estranged wife inside a department store in Whittier on Dec. 22, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

Enrique Acosta (dob 2/27/79) of Whittier was charged with one count each of murder; child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death; violation of court order, domestic violence prior conviction; possession of a firearm by a felon; and hit and run resulting in property damage. He faces a special allegation of personal use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Acosta is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in Department 6 of Los Angeles County Superior Court, Bellflower Branch. Deputy District Attorney Safaan Ahmed is the prosecutor in case VA154932.

The defendant allegedly shot and killed Yvonne Acosta, 46, after they argued inside a Kohl’s department store in the presence of their 8-year-old son. As Acosta allegedly tried to flee in his car, he collided with the victim’s car parked nearby.

If convicted as charged, Acosta faces a maximum sentence of 42 years, eight months to life in state prison.

The case is being investigated by the Whittier Police Department.