INGLEWOOD – Five people were shot, four of whom died, when gunfire erupted during a house party in Inglewood.
Described as an “ambush-style” shooting, it is believed to have occurred at an un-regulated short-term (Airbnb) rental for a birthday party.
The short-term rental home in the 1300 block of Park Avenue near Hargrave Street was where the shooting occured around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
The city has yet to finalize a city ordinance regulating short-term rentals, despite a October 2020 public hearing on the matter.
“It was quiet and next thing you know you hear a bunch of shots for like two minutes, and I didn’t hear any sirens it seems for like 30 minutes,” said a resident who lives in the area.
CBS is reporting Inglewood Mayor James Butts was on the scene.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts remained at the scene through the night. During a morning news conference, he called the shooting an “ambush” and shared that multiple weapons had been used in the shooting, including an assault rifle as well as one handgun.
Butts described the incident as the worst single shooting crime in Inglewood since the 1990’s.
“These are sociopathic killers that have to be sequestered from society.”
Mayor Butts
Over 50-100 shots… Inglewood ain’t the place to be right now… It’s dangerous around my parts… 🙏🏽
— RD Lau 🇵🇦 (@ReekLaw) January 23, 2022
According to CBS, the fifth victim, is expected to survive, admitted to being gang-affiliated in another area. It remains unclear whether he was the target of the shooting. More than one shooter was believed to have been involved.
Residents continue to be concerned with the uptick in crime, coinciding with the departure of nearly two dozen Inglewood officers in the last 18 months.
Last year the city recorded 20 murders, and 5 since the start of 2022. Numbers haven’t been that high since 2014, based on crime stats provided on the department’s website.
Has the city’s relationship with Chief Mark Fronterotta ran its course?
Is it time for the city to entertain promoting Cpt. Eddie Ridens to police chief?
If you have additional information on the shooting, you can send tips anonymously to Inglewood Police department by calling the 888-41-CRIME (888-412-7463) hotline.