A memorial gathering for a slain mother of four became the scene of another deadly shooting in South Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A woman was killed and another person was injured early Sunday when gunfire broke out near a candlelight vigil in the Watts neighborhood, turning a memorial for a homicide victim into the focus of a second active murder investigation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The shooting happened shortly after 2 a.m. near East 104th Street and Wilmington Avenue, where relatives, friends and community members had gathered to honor Albertshay Russell, a 32-year-old mother of four whose death earlier in the week is also being investigated as a homicide. Authorities had not announced any arrests by Sunday evening and said investigators were still working to determine whether the two cases are connected. The violence deepened an already painful week for Russell’s family and raised new concerns in a community already coping with grief. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Mourners assembled at the South Los Angeles intersection to remember Russell, who family members said was fatally shot days earlier. The vigil was intended to provide support for her relatives and children while celebrating her life. According to police, officers responded after reports of gunfire and arrived to find a large crowd still gathered near the scene. Witnesses described confusion as people attempted to understand what had happened. One attendee said the gathering was meant only to support Russell’s family and expressed disbelief that violence had interrupted the memorial. Emergency crews treated victims while officers secured the area and began interviewing witnesses. Detectives also searched for evidence and worked to establish a timeline of events leading up to the shooting. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Police confirmed that one woman died following the shooting and another victim was transported to a hospital in stable condition. Officials did not immediately release the names of either victim. Authorities also withheld information about the weapon used and did not provide a description of any suspect. Investigators spent much of Sunday examining evidence and attempting to determine whether the gunfire was directed at a specific individual or resulted from another dispute. Officials did not identify a motive and offered few details about what evidence had been recovered. The limited information left many relatives and neighborhood residents searching for answers. By late Sunday, police had confirmed only that no suspect was in custody and that the investigation remained ongoing. Detectives continued collecting witness statements and reviewing information from the scene. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The shooting came during a difficult period for Russell’s family, who were already mourning her death. Relatives told local media outlets that Russell was killed earlier in the week at a residence on Santa Ana Street. Family members alleged that her boyfriend was responsible and said one of Russell’s children witnessed the incident. They also challenged an account they said was initially provided to emergency dispatchers and argued that evidence pointed to homicide rather than self-inflicted harm. Police have not publicly confirmed those claims and have released only limited details regarding the circumstances surrounding Russell’s death. The Los Angeles Police Department has stated that the case is being investigated as a homicide. Russell’s death drew significant attention among relatives, friends and community members, leading to the organization of the vigil that later became the site of the second shooting. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Investigators emphasized that the two incidents remain separate investigations while detectives continue gathering evidence. Authorities said any determination about whether the shootings are connected will depend on witness interviews, forensic findings and additional investigative work. Police have not announced charges in either case and have not disclosed whether evidence from one investigation overlaps with the other. Homicide detectives continue reviewing information related to Russell’s death while another team works to identify the person responsible for the vigil shooting. Officials have not provided a timeline for when either investigation may be completed. Additional updates are expected as detectives process evidence, identify potential suspects and analyze witness accounts. The outcomes of both cases could depend heavily on forensic examinations and information gathered from people who were present during the incidents. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Hours after the shooting, candles, flowers and memorial items remained at the intersection where the vigil had been held. Some family friends returned to the site to honor Russell despite the violence that had interrupted the gathering. A close family friend described Russell as a beloved member of the community whose death affected many people. The friend said Russell was humble, genuine and widely loved. Russell’s sister, Antoinette Byrd, remembered her as someone whose smile, laughter and energy helped others through difficult times. In a fundraising statement, Byrd said Russell brought joy to those around her and left a lasting impact on friends and relatives. Their comments reflected a community struggling to process multiple acts of violence within a matter of days while continuing to mourn the loss of a mother, sister and friend. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
As of Sunday night, no arrests had been announced and investigators had not identified a suspect in either case. Authorities said both investigations remain active, with further updates expected as evidence is reviewed and detectives continue their work. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Author note: Last updated June 3, 2026.