Edwin Morales, 23

Edwin Morales, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed on Saturday, July 11, in the 14700 block of Gridley Road in Norwalk, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies answered a call about a gunshot victim about 9:30 p.m. and found two young men who had been shot, said Lt. Steve Jauch. 

The two friends had been talking with others in the parking lot of Gerdes Park when a man approached the group and opened fire, Jauch said. 

Morales, who lived in Bellflower, was shot in the upper torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:44 p.m., according to coroner’s records. 

His friend, an 18-year-old from Norwalk, was also shot in the torso, Jauch said. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released. 

Jauch said the shooter said something to the group before he opened fire, but investigators don’t want to release specifics yet. 

There’s no evidence of gang involvement in this shooting, Jauch said, but investigators are  trying to determine a motive. “Our suspect fired into a group of men, but we do not know if the victims were the intended targets or not,” he said. 

Anyone with information can call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

— Jeanette Marantos