By Katie Priest, September 26, 2023
A shooting at an off-campus party in a warehouse Friday night where hundreds of students in attendance has left one dead, the motive for the shooting is still unknown.
According to the Pomona Police Department bulletin, at 10:45 p.m. authorities from the Pomona Police Department received calls of a shooting at a large party. Upon entering the party officers located six victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Los Angeles County Fire paramedics treated and transported the victims to local hospitals. The party was located in a warehouse at 1500 E. First St. in Pomona, approximately eight miles east of campus.
Of the six victims, one was in critical condition and succumbed to injuries. It has been confirmed by the Pomona Police Department that he was a 19-year-old male from Los Angeles. Three victims were treated and released and two remain in stable condition. It is unknown if any of the victims are Cal Poly Pomona students.
According to a University News bulletin, “students from Cal Poly Pomona and several other local universities and high schools were in attendance.”
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Christina Gonzales, was one of the first to alert students. According to Gonzales, there were “200 plus students in attendance.” At the time of reporting, there is no exact number of CPP students in attendance.
“They’re calling it a flyered party,” said Gonzales speaking on the volume of students across the area in attendance. “They put flyers out at all those schools hoping to get people there.”
The Pomona Police Department originally classed the incident as an attempted murder but since a victim is now deceased, it is now under investigation as a homicide.
The Pomona Police Department has asked that anyone with information about the ongoing investigation contact the department directly at 909-620-2085 or anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
Students impacted by the shooting are encouraged to reach out to the Care Center and CAPS office for support services.
The Cal Poly Pomona Police Department and Pomona Valley Hospital have not yet responded to a request for comments.
This article has been revised to add in comment from University President Soraya M. Coley.
In a statement released by the Office of the President to the CPP students and faculty, they stated at the time of the even they were aware that there were six known victims and several of our students in attendance of the event that were being treated for injuries, none which were life-threatening.
“While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, investigators reported that multiple shots were fired into the crowd and several victims suffered gunshot wounds,” said President Coley in a press release. “While I am relieved that our students who were injured are safe and recovering, an individual not affiliated with Cal Poly Pomona was killed. I know you all join me in grieving the needless loss of a young life.”
Feature image courtesy of CPP University News
