Two people were fatally shot late Friday night during an open mic night event at a strip mall near California State University, Northridge (CSUN), according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The incident has left the community shaken as homicide detectives work to piece together the events that led to the violence.
Police Respond to Large Party Prior to Shooting
According to the LAPD, officers responded shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday to reports of a large, crowded party. The gathering took place at the Artist Lounge, located on the second floor of a strip mall on the 18000 block of Nordhoff Street near Reseda Boulevard. The private event had been advertised on social media.
When officers arrived, they contacted the event organizers and instructed them to shut down the gathering due to the size of the crowd and noise complaints. Just minutes after police requested the shutdown, multiple gunshots rang out inside the venue. This prompted immediate chaos as attendees scrambled for cover.
Victims Pronounced Dead at the Scene
First responders entered the venue and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A man and a woman, both estimated to be between the ages of 18 and 25, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet publicly released their identities pending notification of next of kin.
Witnesses inside the venue captured portions of the incident on their cellphones. Footage showed crowds dancing to music before sudden gunfire sent people running toward exits. One witness recounted seeing a suspect pull a weapon from his waistband and open fire, striking multiple individuals before fleeing.
Investigators stated that a third potential victim may have been wounded and fled the scene before police entry. As of Saturday morning, law enforcement officers were actively working to track down that individual to ensure their safety and medical needs are met.
Investigation and Suspect Status
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, dozens of partygoers were escorted out of the building by law enforcement. Many were briefly detained with zip ties or handcuffs while officers conducted initial questioning to determine individual involvement and gather witness statements.
As of Saturday, the suspect remains at large, and a detailed physical description has not yet been released to the public. The exact motive behind the shooting also remains unclear.
Artist Lounge Releases Statement
Management for the Artist Lounge, a party space rental company, issued a statement following the tragedy expressing condolences to those affected.
"We are deeply saddened by the shooting that took place last night. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families," the venue said in a statement provided to local media.
The LAPD is urging anyone with video footage, cell phone recordings, or additional information regarding the shooting to contact local authorities immediately as the active investigation continues.
