Venice Dog Park Shooting Claims Life of Zackary Allen Melton
VENICE, CA – A quiet evening in the coastal neighborhood of Venice turned into a scene of tragedy on Wednesday night when a fatal shooting occurred in the parking lot of Westminster Dog Park, leaving 30-year-old Zackary Allen Melton dead.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the shooting was reported at approximately 10:19 p.m. in the 1200 block of Pacific Avenue, a typically peaceful area known for its popular dog park and proximity to the beach. Officers responding to the call arrived to find a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts, Melton was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially, authorities withheld the victim’s identity while notifying next of kin, but on Thursday, the man was formally identified as Zackary Allen Melton, a young man whose life was cut short in a violent and senseless act.
Investigation Underway
The suspect reportedly fled the scene before police could arrive, but investigators later recovered what is believed to be the suspect’s vehicle in the vicinity. No arrests have been made at this time, and no suspect description has been released to the public.
The LAPD’s homicide division is actively investigating the case, reviewing surveillance footage from the area and seeking witnesses who may have seen or heard anything related to the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the shooting — including whether it was targeted or random — remain unclear.
“We are urging anyone who may have been in or near the park around the time of the incident to come forward,” said an LAPD spokesperson. “No detail is too small. It may help us bring justice to the victim and closure to his family.”
A Community in Mourning
Though little is yet known publicly about Melton, early social media tributes describe him as a kind-hearted and artistic individual with deep ties to the local community. Friends have begun gathering at Westminster Dog Park to leave flowers and candles in his memory. Dog owners, stunned by the violence in a place usually filled with laughter and barking pets, say the mood in the neighborhood has shifted from lighthearted to heavy with sorrow.
“This was supposed to be a safe, happy place,” said one parkgoer. “To hear that someone was killed here…it’s heartbreaking.”
Calls for Safety and Reflection
The incident has renewed calls from residents for improved safety measures, especially in community gathering spots like dog parks, which are often less monitored during late evening hours. Several neighbors have voiced concerns about increased crime in the area and are demanding both more patrols and greater investment in local public safety.
City officials have yet to issue a statement, but community members say they plan to hold a vigil for Zackary Allen Melton in the coming days, as they attempt to process the grief and shock of the sudden loss.
How to Help
The LAPD is asking anyone with information to contact West Bureau Homicide Detectives at (213) 382-9470 or submit anonymous tips through L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or www.lacrimestoppers.org.
As the investigation unfolds, Zackary’s death serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of tragedy.