Two men were fatally shot after a vehicle was vandalized during a post-World Series celebration in Sylmar, officials said Thursday.
The incident unfolded about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Polk Street and Glenoaks Boulevard, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.
About 30 to 40 people were gathered in the area while drivers performed doughnuts and fireworks were being set off, apparently in celebration of the Dodgers’ victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the World Series.
Two males approached one of the vehicles and allegedly smashed out one of the windows using baseball bats, police said. The alleged vandals fled north on Glenoaks and were followed by several people in the crowd, as well as people in the vandalized vehicle.
“Gunshots rang out and two victims were struck by the gunfire,” police said. They added that the victims were not in the vehicle.
Police said they believe the two victims were trying to help stop the vandalism when they were killed.
“They were just trying to help and be good people and help others,” LAPD Detective Edwin Ayala said.
The victims were taken to a local hospital, where they later died.
Police had not yet identified the victims but family members said they are Marco Antonio Vasquez, 30, and Carlos Guillen, 22, both of Sylmar.
The families of the men said they did not know each other prior to the shooting. They have each set up GoFundMe pages to help with funeral expenses — one for Guillen and one for Vasquez, who is a father of six.
Police did not provide any description of the shooter or shooters.
Anyone with information, or who may have captured video of the incident, is asked to call LAPD Valley bureau homicide detectives at 818-374-9550. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit lacrimestoppers.org.