Crime
Man Fatally Shot Outside St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower
Victim was present to watch his 7-year-old son’s youth football game.
A shocking incident occurred on Saturday morning in the parking lot of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. A man was fatally shot while sitting in his vehicle, triggering a full-scale investigation.
The shooting took place around 8:20 AM in the 13600 block of Bellflower Boulevard.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the unidentified victim was found inside a white Audi that had been reported stolen in Lynwood.
A woman who was sitting in the passenger seat was unharmed.
The incident unfolded during a Pop Warner football game at the high school stadium adjacent to the parking lot. Soccer matches were also scheduled for the day.
Investigators determined that the victim was there to attend his 8-year-old son’s game, but the child was not with him at the time of the shooting.
Despite the presence of other people in the parking lot, no one else was injured. Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a white sedan that fled southbound on Bellflower Boulevard.
While the driver was not believed to be the shooter, both the driver and passenger are considered persons of interest.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the parking lot.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, especially given its occurrence during a children’s sporting event.
Some soccer games were canceled, but the Pop Warner football games continued, even for the victim’s son.
A coach expressed deep sorrow for the young boy and his family, noting the devastating impact of such a loss.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado โ A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.