By City News Service and the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol
A vigil was held for two teenagers who were fatally shot at a strip mall near California State University, Northridge, as detectives continued to investigate and search for the suspect.
The shooting was reported at about 11 p.m. Friday. Officers initially responded to a radio call of a “loud party” at the Artist Lounge, an event venue where a fundraising party was held for a musical artist. There were approximately 100 to 200 young people at the location, according to a police statement.
“While officers were contacting the organizer and attempting to shut down the party, they heard several gunshots,” police said.
Video quickly circulated on social media that captured young people singing along to the music when shots were fired.
Officers searched the location and located the two victims: 19-year-old Kimberly Pastor and 18-year-old Jaydin Lewis.
Police detained multiple minors for questioning immediately after the shooting.
The shooting rattled the local artist community, who considered the Artist Lounge as a positive gathering spot for young creatives.
Pastor was the mother of an almost 2-year-old son who was currently in school and deciding whether to go to college or enlist in the military. Her mother said she wanted to choose a career that could provide a secure future for her son.
Relatives who attended the weekend memorial said Lewis wanted to be a marine biologist and had a very bright future ahead of him. GoFundMe pages have been set up for the victim’s families.
Police are seeking one male suspect in connection with the shooting, but no further description has been provided.
The founder of the Artist Lounge, Irene Ajemyan-Lake, urged the shooter to turn himself in.
Ajemyan-Lake described the venue as a safe space for artists and maintained it was the responsibility of the organizers and promoter of the event to provide security.
A vigil was held outside of the Artists Lounge on Sunday, Oct. 4, soon after the Friday night shooting. Photos, flowers, candles and handwritten messages left at the venue as a memorial site.
“I want to keep their memory alive and help people,” the Artist Lounge founder said. For some, the vigil came too soon when family members were still in shock.
A statement released by the Lewis family said they objected to “holding a vigil at the crime scene.” They urged the public to be cautious when making donations to any fund not set up by family members.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to call the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division at 818-374-9550, or during nonbusiness or weekends, at 310-726-7700 or 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
The GoFundMe for Lewis can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jaydin-lewis-funeral-expenses.
To donate to the GoFundMe for Pastor, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-my-daughters-son.
