An investigation is underway in East Los Angeles after a teenager was shot early Saturday morning and later died.
Deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call near Sixth Street and Fraser Avenue at around 1:15 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. When they arrived, they found a boy who was shot.
He was taken to a local hospital, where he died, the sheriff’s department said.
Family and friends identified the victim as 17-year-old Joshua Aila. His sister said the teen was driving home after grabbing food with their younger brother when he was shot about a half-mile from where he lived.
They described Aila as a talented boxing coach who loved to help train his friends.
“I was always motivated by him because he would always do good in life,” his friend David Ventura told NBC Los Angeles. “He wouldn’t do anything bad to anybody, and I can’t believe this happened to him today.”
A memorial with candles, flowers, photos and handwritten messages was set up near the home where Aila lived with his family.
“We’re all going to miss him,” Aila’s friend Jayden Garcia said. “He played a very important part in our lives, with coaching us, mentoring us, being there for our fights, being there mentally for us. And I hope they catch the people who did this.”
Investigators say the shooter went into a dark-colored SUV before going east on Sixth Street. No other suspect information was provided.
It’s unclear if the shooting was gang-related, officials said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.