2nd Victim Dies After Shooting at Shadow Ranch Park in West Hills

A second person has died in a shooting that took place following an argument at Shadow Ranch Park in West Hills, police said Thursday. Los Angeles police officers were called to the park on Vanowen Street near Fallbrook Avenue after shots were heard about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday. Two men had been struck by the gunfire, and one of them was pronounced dead at the scene, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Mike Lopez said. He has not been identified, but was described as a 27-year-old man who lived in the San Fernando Valley. The second victim was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery, but later died from his injuries, a spokesperson for the Police Department confirmed. He was identified as Cesar Ascencio, 42. He also lived in the San Fernando Valley, police said. Ascensio was able to identify the shooter to police before he died, authorities said. Still, no arrests have been made and authorities have not given a description of the shooter or shooters. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were apparently involved in an argument with two other people, which continued into the park, officials said. The shooter took out a handgun and shot both victims multiple times. It remains unclear what the argument was about and why it escalated to a shooting, police said. The shooting was not random, nor is it believed to be gang-related. A car was towed away from the park Thursday morning, but it was not known whether it belonged to the suspect or one of the victims. The park is located across from de Toledo High School, a private Jewish high school. KTLA’s Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this story.