Dalelaja Francis Denise Hearn, a 17-year-old high school senior from Fresno, California, tragically lost her life on December 15, 2019, in Carson, California. Dalelaja was attending a vigil for a friend who had recently passed away from a suspected drug overdose. The vigil was held at a residence on Alvo Avenue. After the vigil, Dalelaja and her friend, 19-year-old Erin Kayla Lavender, got into their car, which was parked outside the residence.
As they were preparing to leave, unknown assailants opened fire on their vehicle, striking both young women in the chest. Despite their efforts to drive themselves to a hospital, Erin was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, and Dalelaja succumbed to her injuries nearly two hours later.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department launched an investigation into the double homicide but faced challenges due to the lack of immediate leads. Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored SUV leaving the area, but it was unclear if the vehicle was connected to the shooting. Surveillance footage later revealed two suspects in hooded sweatshirts approaching the vehicle and firing multiple shots before fleeing on foot. The suspects were last seen running towards Del Amo Boulevard, and a light-colored SUV was captured on video driving in the same direction shortly after the shooting.
In response to the tragic incident, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Carson City Council offered a combined reward of $30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murders. Despite these efforts, the case remains unsolved, and the community continues to seek justice for Dalelaja and Erin. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to help bring closure to the families affected by this senseless act of violence.
