Investigation continues in El Monte graduation party shooting
EL MONTE -- More details emerged Thursday about a shooting at a graduation party that left a 20-year-old man dead.
The shooting was reported about 1 a.m. at the a house a the corner of Fairview Street Elrovia Avenue, officials said.
Lt. Dan Coleman of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said he estimated there were several dozen partygoers at the home prior to the shooting.
Three to four suspects described only as male Latinos tried to get into the party but were not allowed in, Coleman said.
Exactly what happened next remained under investigation Thursday, he said, and one or more of the suspects opened fire with two or three shots. It was not clear if there was a fight, and it was unknown if the dead man was targeted in the shooting.
"At this point in the investigation, we don't know if he was the specific target or was struck by an errant bullet," Coleman said.
Both the shooter or shooters and the dead man were believed to be out in front of the home when the shooting occurred, officials said.
The dead man did not live at the home, and his connection the the party remained under investigation, the lieutenant said.
The shooting did not appear to be gang-related, he added. "I think it was just related to the party."
"It's unfortunate," Coleman said. "Another party that ends up tragic."
The shooting was reported about 1 a.m. at the a house a the corner of Fairview Street Elrovia Avenue, officials said.
Lt. Dan Coleman of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said he estimated there were several dozen partygoers at the home prior to the shooting.
Three to four suspects described only as male Latinos tried to get into the party but were not allowed in, Coleman said.
Exactly what happened next remained under investigation Thursday, he said, and one or more of the suspects opened fire with two or three shots. It was not clear if there was a fight, and it was unknown if the dead man was targeted in the shooting.
"At this point in the investigation, we don't know if he was the specific target or was struck by an errant bullet," Coleman said.
Both the shooter or shooters and the dead man were believed to be out in front of the home when the shooting occurred, officials said.
The dead man did not live at the home, and his connection the the party remained under investigation, the lieutenant said.
The shooting did not appear to be gang-related, he added. "I think it was just related to the party."
"It's unfortunate," Coleman said. "Another party that ends up tragic."
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
what about the rest of the story...alcohl being served and a charge to get into the party?????????????????????
R.I.P SONNY u will always be from that "KSU CREW".
we love nd miss u foo.
Every Memory Forever,
R.I.P SONNY LOC 6-18-09
what school was the graduation party for because it was not an el monte high school graduation party
was it another school within the district
sonnie we miss you rest in peace gONe
bUT nEvER fOrGOttEn
and anonymous
that has nothing to do with the shooting....
it was arroyo high school.