Two young lives were cut short Friday night when gunfire erupted during a crowded party at the Artist Lounge in Northridge.
The victims were identified by their families as 18-year-old Jaydin Lewis and 19-year-old Kimberly Pastor. Both were remembered by loved ones as young people with plans for their futures.
Lewis had been looking forward to college and hoped to study marine biology. Pastor was a young mother who leaves behind her 2-year-old son.
The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. in the 18000 block of Nordhoff Street, near Reseda Boulevard and less than a mile from California State University, Northridge. Police had been called to the location after receiving a report of a loud party.
There were reportedly more than 100 people at the gathering. As officers were contacting organizers and attempting to shut down the event, they heard several gunshots. People inside the venue began running as the situation quickly turned chaotic.
Officers found Lewis and Pastor suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Video from inside the venue showed partygoers gathered together before the gunfire sent people scrambling for safety. Witnesses described a sudden burst of violence that left many attendees trying to get out of the building.
Families remember the two victims
For Lewis’ family, the loss has been especially difficult because of how much they say he still had ahead of him.
His aunt, Tara Maxwell Lewis, described him as kind and gentle and said he had dreams of attending college and building a future for himself. She also said he was simply attending the party to have fun when he was killed.
“He was so kind and gentle,” she said while remembering her nephew.
Pastor’s mother, Mildred Pastor, is now facing the loss of her daughter while also trying to help her young grandson cope with growing up without his mother.
Family members said Pastor was a good student and was working toward a better future for herself and her child.
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday as relatives, friends and others gathered to remember the two teenagers. Flowers, candles and balloons were placed near the venue as a memorial continued to grow.
Police continue searching for the shooter
The investigation remains active, and police have not announced an arrest in connection with the shooting.
Authorities have also not released a detailed description of the suspected gunman or publicly established a motive.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information that could help identify the person responsible to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.
The venue’s owner has said the space had been rented by a promotional company for an event connected to an artist. The gathering had been promoted through social media.
The owner also acknowledged concerns about security at the event, saying the venue had a security guard but that the shooting happened very quickly.
For the families of Lewis and Pastor, however, the focus now remains on remembering the two young people whose lives ended that night.
Their relatives are asking the person responsible to turn himself in and are urging anyone with information to come forward so the families can begin to get answers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
