Grandfather gunned down by masked men in Porterville

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family of a Porterville man gunned down in front of family and friends Wednesday night is looking for answers.

Investigators are searching for any clues to help them find the killers of 52-year-old Steven Zavala. He was killed when two masked men shot at him continuously, while he was in his front yard.

Family members placed a cross at the site where beloved grandfather lost his life. His sister says he was a quiet family man who didn't have enemies. They're confused as to why anyone would want him dead, and in such a cold-blooded way.

Zavala's sister, Estella Gonzales says his 10-year-old grandson was outside with him playing horseshoes when two masked men came up and started shooting.

"And then he sees his grandpa run, trip over a chair trying to grab himself and they finish him up at close range," said Gonzales. "My sister's screaming and my nephew is screaming. He's in shock. He's never going to be the same."

The long-time Porterville resident spent his time as a handyman, but once followed in the footsteps of his father, a firefighter. Friends say he spent some time as a volunteer for the United States Forest Service.

Lorenzo Flores said, "Good guy hard worker, raised a good family beautiful grandkids and we're all in shock over this."

Family and friends think his murder is a case of mistaken identity, unsure why anyone would want him dead. Porterville police are still looking for a motive for the killing. The two suspects had their faces covered and were targeting Zavala.

Sgt. Dominic Barteau with the Porterville Police Department said, "We're not ruling anything out at this time we're looking at any type of motive that there could be."

"My sister's crying my brother's crying the whole family's crying," said Gonzales. "It's terrible -- it is terrible they're cowards."

Investigators say the two masked suspects ran north on Hawaii and then east on School Avenue.