Gunman kills 16-year-old and injures six others at Woodland Hills house party
A gunman killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded six other people at a house party in Woodland Hills.
Police stated that the shooting occurred at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning at a large home on Winnetka Avenue and Hatteras Street, where an estimated 200 to 300 people were gathered. The victim has been identified as Sah-Dell Roberts.
The hilltop house, commonly rented out for parties, was being used for an event overnight that was advertised on social media as a "VIP party."
"It's a house mansion party and it was hosted by rage parties on Instagram and they have, like, an app called Posh," said Erik Placencio, one of the many people at the event. "I just got it, but I'm deleting it now. I'm not even ever going to these again."
Police said even though they responded quickly, many of the partygoers had left. The incident was the result of an argument that broke out, where one attendee was asked to leave, which is when shots were fired.
Placencio says that he was getting drinks with his brother when he heard arguing and then gunshots.
"Just screaming everywhere," he recalled. "There are people jumping gates, fences. ... A bunch of people went over the balcony even, on the mansion."
As he ran from inside, he said he heard more gunfire, this time right in front of him.
"I hear one, two, three immediate ... like shots, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So I saw him just, like, drop, like, to his, like, left side," Placencio said, recalling that he tried to use his EMT background to help the victim but wasn't able to.
Roberts, who was found in the driveway, was declared dead at the scene.
Five of the six others wounded were men aged between 19 and 34. All were taken to a hospital for treatment and are expected to survive.
"In the coming hours, we will be scouring for surveillance video, witnesses, obviously there were 200 to 300 individuals here," said Lt. Guy Golan of the LAPD. "We are going to be tracking them down and going to get statements."
Police mentioned that there are several cameras in and around the home and believe they will be able to retrieve surveillance footage. So far they haven't identified a shooter.
"It's a large crime scene and there were a lot of people here, which means there's witnesses we still have to uncover," said Lt. Golan. "We know there was hired security as well at the event, we would love to talk to them."
Partygoers say that the security patted everyone down before allowing them into the party, but someone was apparently still able to slip past while armed.
Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting was asked to call the LAPD.