South LA Christening, First Communion Celebration Turns Deadly
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — One person was killed and four others were injured as violence erupted at a family gathering to celebrate the christening and First Holy Communion of two sisters.
Police responded to the corner of 127th and Hoover streets in South Los Angeles following a call of "shots fired" around 11 p.m. Saturday.
Upon arriving on scene, officers located four gunshot victims, one of which -- a man in his 20s -- died. A fifth person, identified as a 17-year-old boy, was stabbed numerous times. The surviving victims were transported to area hospitals.
"There was a disturbance between some family members. A fight broke out and in the course of the fight, one of the victims was stabbed repeatedly. A weapon was drawn, a handgun, and four people were shot," said LAPD Ofc. Patrick Hassell.
The violence broke out as 100 people gathered for a family celebration.
"Some of the kids were hiding behind the tables because they didn't expect anything of that. I don't think it's fair that these things happen in a family party," said Ana Ocuna, a partygoer.
The Associated Press reported Sunday evening that police announced the arrest of a suspect, a man in his 20s.
Police believed rival gang members started the melee.
