{"id":388257,"date":"2026-07-06T19:29:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/388257\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T19:29:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:29:08","slug":"california-assemblymember-remembers-former-staffer-killed-in-compton-fourth-of-july-shooting-bravery-cost-him-his-own-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/388257\/","title":{"rendered":"California assemblymember remembers former staffer killed in Compton Fourth of July shooting: “Bravery cost him his own life”"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the two victims of a deadly shooting at a Fourth of July party<\/a>\u00a0in Compton has been identified as a former staffer for California Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson).<\/p>\n

According to Gipson’s office, Eric Washington was killed alongside a 19-year-old woman on Saturday night. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says it’s still searching for suspects.<\/p>\n

“Eric was tragically ripped from our lives by a coward who chose to brandish a gun during a community event where children and families gathered,” Gipson said in a statement. “He was extraordinarily talented, a passionate and focused man who loved the community, gave his heart and soul for the people, and put them first. I am grieving \u2013 devastated by the loss and murder of this great young person.”<\/p>\n

The LASD said the shooting took place around 11:20 p.m. in the 700 block of W. Laurel Street during a party. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds who was pronounced dead at the scene. The male victim, later identified as Washington, died shortly after he was transported to a local hospital.<\/p>\n

A total of five people were struck by gunfire, authorities said. They include a teenage girl, another woman and a fifth victim who was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.<\/p>\n

Circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a motive, remain unclear. Deputies also noted that no evidence indicates the incident is connected to a different\u00a0shooting that happened at a block party<\/a>\u00a0in the 2100 block of N. Grandee Avenue, which left one man dead and another wounded.<\/p>\n

While authorities haven’t publicly released additional details, Gipson said Washington was “attempting to de-escalate a conflict during the holiday block party with children and families.”<\/p>\n

“It is no surprise that during the moment of this terrible act, Eric was trying to save a community by preventing a situation that would have taken lives,” Gipson said. “This bravery cost him his own life.” <\/p>\n

Washington was also part of the Watts Rising<\/a> initiative. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and earned a master’s from Grambling State University.<\/p>\n

In a 2024 profile<\/a>, UCLA’s\u00a0Clinical & Translational Science Institute<\/a>\u00a0recognized Washington as an “influential change agent in social justice advocacy, public safety awareness, and policymaking.”<\/p>\n

\n

Dean Fioresi<\/a><\/p>\n

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