Authorities in Los Angeles are currently investigating a devastating incident in which an individual opened fire at a house party, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old boy and serious injuries to six adults. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time in Tarzana, a suburb located in the San Fernando Valley near Woodland Hills. As of Monday morning, the perpetrator responsible for the shooting remains at large, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department to USA TODAY.
Upon receiving a report of the shooting, police officers rushed to the residence, situated about 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, only to be met with a chaotic scene of a large gathering. Tragically, they discovered the teenage victim on the ground in the driveway, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite efforts by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim is currently being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
In addition to the fatal victim, six other individuals also sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The injured parties include a 20-year-old man and two 36-year-old men who were transported by the LAFD, a 37-year-old man who arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle, as well as a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman who were also privately driven to receive medical care. The extent of their injuries and current conditions remain unknown as of Monday morning.
Although the exact motive behind the shooting remains unclear, police officials revealed that an altercation occurred among the approximately 200 to 300 attendees at the party, leading to the eruption of gunfire. Lieutenant Guy Golan informed KTLA-TV of the chaotic events that unfolded, highlighting the volatility of the situation.
Individuals with any pertinent information regarding the shooting are urged to contact the LAPD at 818-374-9550. For those wishing to report the crime anonymously, they can do so by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
Natalie Neysa Alund, a seasoned reporter for USA TODAY, covered this tragic incident. She can be reached at nalund@usatoday.com or followed on Twitter @nataliealund.
