It Happened in LA is a dive into the violent world of warring Mexican cartels. When Mauricio, a well-known journalist, who had sought asylum against cartel threats goes missing, it is up to retired detective Rafael Reyes, to find him.

Despite promises to his husband, Reyes leaves their bucolic home on the banks of the Russian River and heads south to Los Angeles, determined to solve the mystery of Mauricio's disappearance.

While there, in his search in the complex tangle of the turf battles between Los Zorros and Vatos Aztecas gangs over drugs, extortion, and prostitution in the suburbs of northeast Los Angeles, Reyes encounters unspeakable evil, but is ultimately reminded of the depths of goodness of the human heart.