Sacramento, California – In a major push for justice in four unsolved cases across the state, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday a total of $200,000 in rewards — $50,000 for each case — including one tied to the tragic 2021 murder of 22-year-old U.S. Navy sailor Cornelius Donte Brown in La Mesa.
Brown, an active-duty third-class petty officer stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln at Naval Base Coronado, was fatally shot nearly four years ago today. On the night of April 24, 2021, Brown was hosting a small gathering in his La Mesa apartment when two masked men knocked on the door.
When Brown responded, one of them opened fire. The two suspects fled on foot. Despite years of investigation, police have not made an arrest.
“I will never forget my son’s murder. “It’s always in front of me,” said Cornelius’ mother, Addrienne Brown, who lives in South Carolina. “The mothers of the children who killed my baby can touch, talk to, and hug them. I need to go visit mine at the cemetery.”
Brown, a standout high school athlete, aspired to become a Navy officer. His mother stated that he chose to serve his country before college and is proud of his military service.
She now hopes that the governor’s $50,000 reward will help break the silence and find her son’s killers. “That made me feel pretty good,” Brown explained. “Someone is thinking of my child. “They care about my child.”
The new reward brings the total amount offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Brown’s case to $65,000, which includes contributions from Crime Stoppers, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and his family.
“We are very thankful for the Governor’s support in our efforts to find justice for Mr. Brown and his family,” said La Mesa spokesperson Scott Hildebrand.
Governor Newsom’s rewards also apply to three other unsolved cases in Hillsborough, Lemoore, and Petaluma, where local law enforcement has pursued all possible leads.
Under California law, agencies may request state-issued rewards in unsolved cases to encourage public cooperation and generate new tips.
Addrienne Brown hopes that the attention and financial incentives will finally result in justice. “If we don’t stop this, it could be your child next,” she joked.
