A man who was fatally shot near the Wilmington Recreation Center was identified Friday, and police continued their investigation into his death.
The shooting occurred around 10:10 p.m. Thursday near Bay View Avenue and D Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jose Quezada, 46, of Carson, died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Quezada was killed as he was leaving a Summer Night Lights event at the recreation center, according to police. Two suspects, described only as males wearing dark clothing, were being sought.
“Our victim, who was a cook here, just exited and was here on the street when he was approached by unknown suspects who fired rounds at him,” LAPD Capt. Keith Green told KTLA5. “Our victim was struck by gunfire.”
A motive for the shooting was not known, police said. The Summer Night Lights events operate in more than 40 Los Angeles area parks and recreation centers to promote anti-gang violence and turn them into safe havens for families.
“Last night, a shooting took place at the Wilmington Recreation Center after the Summer Night Lights Program ended and a member of our Wilmington community lost his life,” Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker said in a statement.
“The victim, a volunteer at the event, was helping barbecue for the families attending,” McKosker said. “Summer Night Lights works to build trust and offer fun, positive programming to communities impacted by violence by making the public spaces safe and full of our neighbors. Horrific acts like this attempt to break that safety and community apart but we won’t let it. Please join me in praying for the victim and his family and friends.”
Mayor Bass today issued the following statement after a community member was fatally shot at a Wilmington Park:
“Last night, a dedicated Wilmington community member and someone who has volunteered with Summer Night Lights to uplift his community was killed in a horrific act of violence. This community leader lost his life to the very type of violence he was working so hard to prevent. I join his loved ones in grieving his loss.”
Bass went on in her statement to say, “This incident is a tragic reminder that we must fight even harder to ensure that our communities have the tools that they need to stop this senseless violence.”
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call 877-LAPD-247.