2 Victims Identified In Deadly Northridge Strip Mall Shooting, Suspect At Large

LOS ANGELES, CA — The two young people killed in a shooting at a crowded Northridge gathering Friday night have been identified as 19-year-old Kimberly Pastor and 18-year-old Jaydin Lewis.

Pastor was identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office. Relatives identified the second victim as Lewis.

Pastor was the mother of a 2-year-old child, KTLA reported.

Lewis' relatives said during a Saturday candlelight vigil that he dreamed of becoming a marine biologist.

The shooting happened around 11:05 p.m. Friday in the 18400 block of Nordhoff Street, near Reseda Boulevard and Cal State Northridge, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers had been sent to the location over reports of a loud party and found an estimated 100 to 200 people there. As officers contacted the organizer and attempted to shut down the gathering, they heard several gunshots, police said.

Police searched the location and found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded; both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

KTLA reported that the shooting occurred inside Artist Lounge, where guests were attending a private event for an up-and-coming artist.

Friends of the victims told the station that the deaths had shaken the local arts community.

Police said they were searching for a male suspect, but no detailed description had been released. A motive for the shooting remained unclear.

Anyone with information was urged to contact LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division at 818-374-9550. During non-business hours or on weekends, callers can use 310-726-7700 or 877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers online or at 800-222-8477.

City News Service contributed to this report.