A peaceful Sunday morning turned deadly when gunfire erupted at Don Knabe Community Regional Park in Cerritos, leaving two men dead. The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. on August 31 in the south parking lot of the sports complex, located in the 19700 block of Bloomfield Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities reported hearing 20 to 25 gunshots, followed by the sound of vehicles speeding away from the scene. Deputies from the Carson Station arrived at the park shortly after 2:40 a.m. following reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. They found evidence of a shooting, including numerous shell casings, possibly from multiple firearms, scattered across the southwest parking lot.
However, no victims were present at the scene. Soon after, investigators learned that two Hispanic men, both shot, had been taken to a local hospital, likely by friends. Tragically, both men succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead. The Sheriff’s Department noted that several vehicles were parked in the south parking stalls before the shooting.
After the gunfire, all vehicles fled the scene at high speed. The reason for the gathering and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear, leaving investigators with more questions than answers. Homicide detectives are now working to piece together the events, examining shell casings and other evidence to identify suspects involved in this Cerritos park shooting.
The incident has shaken the Cerritos community, with a crowd of grieving friends and family gathering at the hospital where the victims were taken.
The Don Knabe Community Regional Park, a 26-acre facility known for its soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and skate park, is typically a place for family fun, making this violent act all the more jarring. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be shared with the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or submit tips online. This marks the second high-profile shooting at the park in 2025.
Earlier this year, on February 25, 66-year-old businessman Cuauhtemoc Garcia was killed near the Coyote Creek Bike Path in what authorities described as a targeted attack during an attempted robbery. Two suspects were charged in that case, but no connection to the August 31 shooting has been established. The investigation into the Cerritos park shooting continues.
