Mansion Involved In LA House Party Shooting Faces Scrutiny

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles mansion that was rented out for a massive party, where three people were shot including a 35-year-old mother of three, has long been on the radar of city officials.

Police responded to the 13200 block of Mulholland Drive about 12:45 a.m. Monday and found three victims struck by gunfire, Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Chris Ramirez told reporters Tuesday. According to NBC Los Angeles, the city has sent multiple warning letters to the property, which is not listed with the city as a short-term rental. In Los Angeles all, short-term rentals are required to register with the city. Neighbors called the police repeatedly Monday to complain about noise and parking violations stemming from the party while also seeking to have it shut down for violating the health order against gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the station, the mansion rents for $10,000 a night.

The Los Angeles Police Department received at least five calls from residents who reported instances of disturbing the peace in the neighborhood beginning about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Responding officers found a large party taking place at a three-story home with about 200 people attending, according to the LAPD.

Officers enforced traffic and parking violations, but did not enforce the county's health order banning large gatherings, the department said. Video from NBC4 showed vehicles being ticketed.
The organizer of the party, identified by NBC4 only as "Kenny," told the station the party was for his friends and masks were made available to guests, who also had to undergo a temperature check before being allowed inside.

No party attendees could be seen wearing masks in video shot by multiple broadcast outlets.
A food truck was on site and multiple high-end vehicle, including Lamborghinis and a Rolls Royce, could be seen on the video posted to social media.

Authorities Wednesday sought the persons responsible for the deadly shooting, which is considered a gang-related. The additional two victims were taken to a hospital, one in grave condition, the other two in critical condition, according to Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The woman who died at a hospital was identified by NBC4 as Brandi Parham.

Her daughter, Paige Atkins, told the station through tears she hopes whoever shot her mom "goes to jail for what they did, because now I can't see my mom anymore."

A description of the shooters was not immediately available.

The shooting is considered a gang-related killing, partly based on social media activity, Ramirez said.

The two other gunshot victims remained hospitalized with stable vital signs, Ramirez said.

No arrests have been made.

Ramirez said the shooting was being investigated by detectives from the LAPD West Bureau Homicide office, and he urged anyone with information on the crime to call 213-382-9470.

The house had been rented for the party, according to reports from the scene.

A video posted to social media captured the sounds of the gunfire, at least six shots initially fired, followed by at least eight more. People attending the party continued on as if nothing had occurred following the gunfire, the video showed. About two minutes later, a hail of gunfire can be heard and people begin screaming and running and trying to find safe places to hide. The video also contained blurry images of what appeared to be two gunshot victims.

City News Service and Patch Staffer contributed to this report.