Aspiring marine biologist, 18, and woman, 19, killed at Northridge party as gunman remains at large
LAPD has named Jaydin Lewis as one of two people shot dead at a packed event venue steps from CSUN; a single male suspect is still being sought.
Jaydin Lewis had a twin brother, dreams of studying marine biology, and — according to his family — a gift for making people feel loved. On Friday night, the 18-year-old was shot and killed inside a crowded Northridge event venue steps from California State University, Northridge. A 19-year-old Hispanic woman died alongside him. Police continue to seek the gunman.
Police were called to Artist Lounge, a venue on the second floor of a strip mall in the 18000 block of Nordhoff Street near Reseda Boulevard, after a 911 call about a loud party came in at 11:05 p.m. on Friday, October 2. A police statement said officers found between 100 and 200 people at the location upon their arrival.
While officers were contacting the organizer and attempting to shut down the party, they heard several gunshots.— LAPD, official statement
Both victims, each suffering from gunshot wounds, were found by officers and Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics and were pronounced dead at the scene. According to the LAPD, which released identifications on Sunday, the two were an 18-year-old Black male and a 19-year-old Hispanic female; full names were withheld until next of kin could be notified. ABC7 reported that the 18-year-old was Jaydin Lewis.
The venue's owner, Irene Ajemyan-Lake, told ABC7 that Artist Lounge was hosting a promotional event for an up-and-coming artist and that a security guard was on duty when the shooting occurred.
There was a security guard here, but like I said, somebody had bad intentions. They slipped through the cracks, and this is very unfortunate. It happened very quickly.— Irene Ajemyan-Lake, Artist Lounge owner
Cellphone video from the scene showed witnesses ducking for cover and scrambling to escape as shots rang out, according to ABC7. In additional footage, police could be seen detaining multiple minors for questioning while law enforcement evacuated others from the area.
Lewis, who had a twin named Jaylin, was a student at Stoney Point High School. His family described him as kind and gentle, and said he had been planning to attend college to major in marine biology.
One of our own. We've never had this type of tragedy in our family… and this is just so hard for us.— Tara Maxwell Lewis, Jaydin Lewis's aunt
Short life lived. He wanted to go to college. He just wanted to be somebody, and trust me, he was going to be somebody.— Tara Maxwell Lewis, Jaydin Lewis's aunt
Ajemyan-Lake held a vigil honoring both victims. Candles were lit by family and friends at the venue and outside Lewis's home. His family is urging the gunman to come forward.
Turn yourself in because it's the right thing to do. We're looking for justice for my family, as well as the other family.— Tara Maxwell Lewis, Jaydin Lewis's aunt
Detectives are seeking one male suspect. The LAPD released no further description of him and no motive. Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division's Valley Bureau Section at 818-374-9550, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
Why it matters — Two teenagers were killed at a packed public event in a busy commercial area, and the gunman remains unidentified and at large — leaving a community near a major university campus on edge and a grieving family without answers.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- The suspect aimed at two people but was only able to hit one of his intended targets
- The 19-year-old female victim's identity remains unreleased pending next-of-kin notification as of the latest reports
- three days later
Reported by ktla.com, mynewsla.com, abc7.com, geo.tv
