Two people were killed and six others injured in a mass shooting at a warehouse party in downtown Los Angeles early Monday morning, August 4, 2025. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the 1100 block of 14th Place, an industrial area near Interstate 10.
The shooting took place at what initially appeared to be connected to the Hard Summer music festival, which had taken place over the weekend at Hollywood Park in Inglewood. However, organizers of the festival and official after-parties later clarified they had no affiliation with the warehouse event where the shooting occurred.
Police first responded to the area around 11 p.m. Sunday night after officers observed someone carrying a gun into what appeared to be a party with 50 to 60 people in attendance. Officers shut down the gathering and arrested one person for possession of a firearm before clearing the scene.
Approximately two hours later, at 1 a.m. Monday, officers returned to the same location after receiving reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found eight people struck by gunfire and a large crowd in the street. A male victim in his late 20s was pronounced dead at the scene, while a female victim in her early 50s died later at a hospital. The six injured victims, ranging in age from 26 to 62, were transported to hospitals, with at least one person listed in critical condition.
One victim was identified as 29-year-old Gregory Derisso. His father, Judner Derisso, told reporters his son had three small children and was supposed to have dinner with him but never showed up. The elder Derisso received a call in the middle of the night informing him of his son’s death.
A law enforcement source revealed to the Los Angeles Times that the warehouse party was actually part of a local gang’s “hood day” celebration, not connected to the music festival. Police recovered at least half a dozen guns at the scene and made at least one additional arrest of a woman found in possession of a firearm.
One witness who attended the party described hearing what sounded like “100 shots” fired outside the event, causing people to stampede out of the warehouse and scatter into the street. Another witness, Tyrone Laney, who lives in a temporary housing encampment nearby, reported hearing thumping music followed by a burst of gunfire that sounded like it came from an automatic weapon around 1 a.m.
The incident highlights ongoing problems with unsanctioned parties in downtown Los Angeles’ industrial areas. Anthony Rodriguez, president and chief executive of the Fashion District business improvement district, reported there were 11 unauthorized parties on Saturday in the Fashion District alone. He indicated these events typically involve unpermitted gatherings without safety protocols, along with alcohol consumption, illegal drugs, underage drinking, and prostitution.
Estela Lopez, executive director for the L.A. Downtown Industrial District business improvement district, explained that many warehouse buildings in the area sit empty or are divided into smaller rental spaces. These vacant structures provide attractive venues for large underground parties and illegal operations. The industrial areas typically have fewer police patrols and are dark and desolate after business hours, making them difficult to monitor.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, “This senseless violence and loss of life in Downtown Los Angeles this morning is devastating.” She emphasized there would be no tolerance for violence in the city and that those responsible must be held accountable.
Organizers of legitimate Hard Summer after-parties clarified their events were not connected to the shooting location. One organizer posted on social media that their event was several blocks away and involved completely different circumstances. They emphasized that everyone at their sanctioned event remained safe throughout the evening.
The Los Angeles Police Department continues investigating the incident. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting itself, and authorities have not identified any suspects or determined a motive. It remains unclear whether the earlier incident involving the firearm arrest is connected to the subsequent shooting.
The warehouse district where the shooting occurred has experienced similar violent incidents stemming from unauthorized gatherings. In May, hundreds of people attended an illegal rooftop concert that spilled into surrounding neighborhoods, with some attendees vandalizing public transportation and causing disruptions described by local officials as resembling scenes from a post-apocalyptic movie.
Business leaders in the area continue calling for increased inspection, oversight, and communication between city officials and warehouse property owners to prevent future incidents. The investigation into Monday’s shooting remains active, with police asking anyone with information to come forward.
