Shauntrell Darnell Matthews Jr., a 21-year-old resident of Gardena, California, was tragically shot and killed on May 19, 2018, in the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. while Matthews was attending a candlelight vigil at a car wash and strip mall on Cimarron Street. The vigil was held in memory of a person who had died in federal prison of natural causes.
During the gathering, a dark-colored sedan approached from Manchester Avenue, and an unknown assailant fired multiple rounds into the crowd, striking Matthews and another man, Joseph Neal, aged 38. Matthews was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:38 p.m., while Neal succumbed to his injuries the following morning at a hospital.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) launched an investigation into the shooting, suspecting that it was gang-related. Detective Chris Barling of the LAPD indicated that the group at the vigil might have been targeted due to a perceived association with a rival gang. The vigil was reportedly for a gang member, which may have prompted the attack. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made, and the shooter remains unidentified. The LAPD has urged anyone with information to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers.
The case highlights the persistent issue of gang violence in Los Angeles, where innocent gatherings can become scenes of deadly confrontations. The community and law enforcement continue to seek justice for Matthews and Neal, hoping to bring closure to their families and reduce the cycle of violence that plagues the area.
