Triple Shooting in South Los Angeles Near Dalton and Florence Leaves Two Dead, One Critically Injured in Chaotic Memorial Day Weekend Violence

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — What was meant to be a solemn and reflective Memorial Day weekend turned into a night of tragedy, bloodshed, and heartbreak in South Los Angeles, where a triple shooting erupted in the Manchester Square neighborhood on Saturday evening. The violent incident claimed the lives of two individuals and left a third fighting for their life, casting a somber shadow over the holiday weekend for residents and authorities alike.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that the shooting took place shortly after 6:40 p.m. at the intersection of Dalton Avenue and Florence Avenue, a typically busy corridor known for its mix of residential homes, local businesses, and foot traffic. First responders were called to the scene following multiple 911 calls reporting the sound of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered a crime scene that was both expansive and chaotic, spanning several blocks and involving a number of distressed witnesses.

Two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The third victim, whose identity has not yet been released by law enforcement officials, was transported in critical condition to a nearby trauma center. The nature of their injuries has not been disclosed, but officials indicated that they were sustained during the same burst of gunfire that claimed the lives of the other two victims.

The Scene: A Neighborhood Shattered by Violence

Manchester Square, a community already grappling with concerns over rising crime, was thrust into mourning once again. The neighborhood, located in South Los Angeles, has long battled cycles of gang violence, economic inequality, and systemic underinvestment, despite efforts in recent years to revitalize its streets and build trust between residents and law enforcement.

Witnesses described the scene as surreal — a peaceful Saturday afternoon punctuated by the sharp, terrifying sound of gunshots. Residents ran for cover, families inside nearby homes dropped to the floor, and shopkeepers closed their doors in fear as the situation unfolded in real-time.

“I heard at least ten shots, rapid fire,” said Angela Martinez, a local resident who lives just a block from the shooting. “I hit the floor and grabbed my kids. I thought it was fireworks at first, but then I heard screaming.”

Cellphone videos recorded by witnesses and later posted to social media showed LAPD officers cordoning off a large section of the street, crime scene tape flapping in the wind as detectives scoured the area for shell casings, witnesses, and possible surveillance footage from nearby businesses.

Victims: Awaiting Names, Mourned by the Community

As of late Saturday night, the identities of the deceased victims had not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin. However, neighbors and loved ones had already begun gathering near the scene, some visibly emotional, others making calls and holding each other in disbelief. Makeshift memorials — candles, flowers, and handwritten notes — began appearing on street corners as word of the tragedy spread.

“It’s always somebody’s son, somebody’s brother,” said Markel Washington, a local youth mentor and anti-violence activist. “We’ve seen this happen too many times, and every time we lose someone, it tears a little more of the soul out of this community.”

Washington, who works with at-risk youth in South Los Angeles, said that Memorial Day weekend often brings an uptick in violent crime — a bitter irony for a holiday meant to honor those who died in service to the country.

Ongoing Investigation: No Arrests Made

The LAPD confirmed that no arrests have been made as of Sunday morning. Detectives with the department’s South Bureau Homicide Division are leading the investigation and are actively canvassing the area for leads. Officers were seen going door-to-door, asking residents for any security footage, eyewitness accounts, or dashcam videos that might assist in identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators.

“We’re looking at all angles — gang involvement, personal disputes, potential retaliation,” said Detective Maria Alvarez, who is part of the investigation. “It’s too early to make any definitive conclusions, but we are following up on several strong leads.”

Authorities said that while there were several people in the area at the time of the shooting, most witnesses were too frightened to immediately come forward. LAPD is urging anyone with information to contact their anonymous tip line.

In the meantime, the area remains cordoned off as forensic teams continue to process the scene. Spent bullet casings were marked across several locations, suggesting the shooter may have moved or that multiple shooters were involved. Surveillance cameras from a liquor store and a bus stop nearby are being reviewed for footage that might reveal the sequence of events.

Impact and Reaction: Renewed Calls for Peace and Reform

The violent outbreak comes at a time when South Los Angeles residents were hoping for a peaceful Memorial Day weekend — a time to honor fallen service members, gather with family, and participate in community cookouts and events.

Instead, many found themselves gathered for an altogether different reason: grief.

Community leaders and city officials have begun responding with urgency. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, whose district includes parts of South LA, issued a statement late Saturday night, saying:

“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. This senseless violence has to stop. We are redoubling our efforts to invest in the safety, healing, and vitality of South Los Angeles. No one should have to live with this kind of trauma.”

Local nonprofits and intervention groups, including Project Ceasefire, Brotherhood Crusade, and Community Coalition, have mobilized teams to provide emotional support, violence de-escalation, and mediation services in the area in the aftermath of the shooting.

“It’s not just about stopping the violence,” said Tamika Holloway, a crisis counselor with Community Healing Advocates of South LA. “It’s about creating systems where people don’t feel like violence is the only option, where young people see a future that doesn’t involve funerals.”

A Community Desperate for Change

Saturday’s triple shooting marks one of the deadliest incidents in South Los Angeles so far this year. According to LAPD data, violent crime in the South Bureau area is up 12% compared to the same time last year, with gun-related homicides accounting for the vast majority of deaths. Community advocates point to persistent root causes: poverty, lack of mental health services, limited access to quality education, and under-resourced public spaces.

“This isn’t about bad neighborhoods or bad people,” said Pastor Jerome Bell, who leads a local church just blocks from the scene. “This is about decades of neglect, disinvestment, and despair. If we want to honor the lives lost today, we need to do more than pray. We need action.”

On Sunday morning, members of the community began organizing a peace walk scheduled for Monday afternoon. The walk will follow a route from Florence Avenue down to Western Avenue, symbolizing a call for unity, peace, and the reclaiming of public space from violence.

Looking Ahead: A Holiday Weekend Marred by Bloodshed

Memorial Day weekend — a time to remember the fallen — has instead become a time to mourn the recently lost for many families in South Los Angeles. While parades and barbecues will continue in other neighborhoods, families near Dalton and Florence will be lighting candles, comforting one another, and asking difficult questions about how to move forward in a community beset by tragedy.

As the investigation continues, LAPD is urging witnesses to come forward. A $25,000 reward is being considered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case, though details are pending city approval.

“We are not giving up,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. “We owe that much to the victims, to their families, and to the people of South Los Angeles.”

Conclusion: A City’s Pain, A Neighborhood’s Plea

In the heart of South Los Angeles, on a holiday meant to honor sacrifice, the community now mourns two lives lost to gunfire and one more hanging in the balance. The intersection of Dalton and Florence, once just another corner in the city, has become a site of mourning, reflection, and a renewed plea: for peace, for justice, and for an end to the cycle of violence that continues to claim too many.

As candles burn and names are etched into the memory of a neighborhood once again in grief, the message is clear: this cannot be the norm. Not on Memorial Day. Not ever.