Series of shootings shake Los Angeles County communities

According to an internal law enforcement bulletin received and verified by KCAL News, four fatal overnight firings happening a few miles apart are related. 

Suspect Still at Large:

Despite efforts by the LA County Sheriff’s Department, no suspect has been apprehended in connection with the shootings. The recovery of a red SUV believed to be linked to the killings has not yet led to any significant breakthrough in the investigation.

Motive Unknown:

Detectives are grappling with the absence of a clear motive for the shootings, adding an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging case.

Details of the Shootings Unfold:

The first shooting was reported to the Bell Police Department around 10:30 p.m. Authorities discovered an unconscious victim in the vicinity of the Martha Escutia Primary Center on Bear Avenue. 

Tragically, paramedics pronounced the victim dead upon arrival, prompting the closure of the campus until further notice, as officials prioritized student safety.

The second shooting occurred off East Florence Avenue at approximately 12:08 a.m., just three miles away from the initial crime scene in Bell. Responding deputies found another victim, who was later declared deceased by paramedics.

Shortly thereafter, roughly ten minutes later and four miles away, witnesses reported yet another fatal shooting outside the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy. 

Deputies arrived to find two teenagers suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, 14-year-old Javier Pedraza Jr. succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the second teen was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition.

The final shooting was reported a little after 2:35 a.m. when an officer from the Huntington Park Police Department discovered a man lying in the 6300 block of Sante Fe Avenue, approximately three miles away from the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center. Despite efforts to save him, the victim was declared deceased shortly thereafter.

Community Response:

The series of shootings has prompted shock and grief within the affected communities, as residents grapple with the senseless loss of life. 

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation to bring those responsible to justice and prevent further violence.