LANCASTER, CA – A 19-year-old man was shot and killed outside a Halloween party in Lancaster early Saturday morning, and authorities are searching for the suspect who fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of W Avenue around 12:45 a.m. Saturday. The victim was found suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that a fight had broken out during a Halloween party at a nearby business shortly before the shooting. The victim was standing outside the building when an unknown suspect opened fire, striking him multiple times in the upper body.
The shooter fled the area before law enforcement arrived, leaving deputies with limited information about the suspect or the circumstances leading to the deadly confrontation. No suspect description has been released as the investigation continues.
The victim’s identity has not been publicly disclosed as authorities work to notify family members. Homicide detectives are interviewing witnesses who attended the party and were present when the shooting occurred.
The incident marks another violent end to a Halloween celebration in Los Angeles County, adding to concerns about safety at large gatherings. Investigators are working to determine whether the shooting was gang-related or stemmed from the earlier altercation at the party.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about the case is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Deputies are reviewing security camera footage from businesses in the area and interviewing partygoers to develop leads in the case. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify the shooter and establish a motive for the killing.
