Photo Courtesy of The Newman Family
A $50,000 reward is being offered to anyone that has information that can lead to the apprehension of the person responsible for killing a beloved California community activist, pastor and grandmother who was killed in a hit-and-run incident while delivering Christmas gifts to a local community center.
According to KTLA, 62-year-old Trina Newman dropped off Christmas presents at the center located on Broadway near 88th street in the afternoon on December 24 in South Los Angeles. As she exited the sidewalk to get into her vehicle, Newman was mowed down by a blue mid-size sedan. The driver didn’t stop. The adored pastor died at the scene.
Family and friends were inconsolable as the LAPD marked off the area as a crime scene.
“I was trying to run through the yellow tape to her. I just couldn’t believe what I heard over the phone,” Newman’s daughter, Amarrie Nicasio, told KTLA. Nicasio also revealed that outside of her charitable heart– her mom was a foster parent.
“She helped everybody. She gave back to the community in every way she could. She’s a good person. Whoever did this needs to step up and turn yourself in,” her grieving daughter added.
A fellow pastor, Kenneth Pitchford, also spoke about the devastating loss to the Los Angeles community, saying, “Everybody is heart-stricken for this moment. Words can’t describe what she means to this community.”
According to a statement from the LAPD, the blue sedan “sustained major front passenger side damage.”
A $50,000 reward has been offered to anyone who gives info leading up to the capture of the heartless suspect who kept going after hitting Newman.
Persons with intel regarding the hit-and-run should call South Traffic Division Detective Geitheim or Officer Hurd at 213-713-9579. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Our condolences are with the pastor’s family and friends.