WHITTIER, Calif. — Fatal Shooting Near Elementary School Leaves One Dead, Suspect Still at Large
A deadly shooting in Whittier, California has left a community in shock after a man was found fatally shot inside a vehicle Thursday morning, July 24, 2025. The incident occurred just after 11:00 a.m. near the intersection of Pickering Avenue and Penn Street, a typically quiet residential area located within close proximity to St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School.
According to the Whittier Police Department, responding officers arrived on scene following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, they found a beige Saturn sedan parked along the curb, with the victim — an adult male whose identity has not yet been publicly released — slumped over the driver’s seat, suffering from at least one fatal gunshot wound. Paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Authorities quickly established a perimeter around the area and launched a homicide investigation, urging residents and nearby schools to exercise caution. Classes were not in session at St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary at the time, but the incident occurred dangerously close to school grounds, raising heightened concerns about public safety near school zones.
Preliminary information from witnesses and nearby surveillance footage suggests that the victim may have been targeted, though police have not confirmed a motive. Several bystanders reported hearing a single gunshot, followed by a person fleeing the area on foot, though a detailed suspect description has not yet been released. As of Friday, no arrests have been made, and the suspect remains at large.
“We are pursuing every lead and examining surveillance footage from surrounding businesses and residences,” said a spokesperson for the Whittier Police Department. “We are also urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual around 11 a.m. Thursday near Pickering and Penn to please come forward.”
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is working to notify the victim’s next of kin before releasing his name. While little has been publicly confirmed about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, authorities are exploring the possibility of gang involvement or a personal dispute, though all avenues remain open.
Residents of the surrounding neighborhood expressed fear and sadness in the aftermath of the violence.
“It’s terrifying to think that this happened so close to a school and in broad daylight,” said one local resident. “Whittier is usually a peaceful place. This isn’t something you expect to see when you look out your window.”
“We heard sirens and saw the tape going up. It’s heartbreaking,” added another neighbor. “My kids go to school right over there. It makes you wonder what’s going on and how safe we really are.”
City leaders and school officials have expressed concern and pledged to work closely with law enforcement to ensure community safety. Additional patrols have been deployed in the area, and schools have been advised to review security protocols in light of the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are continuing to canvass the area, interview witnesses, and collect forensic evidence from the vehicle and crime scene. Detectives are asking any witnesses or anyone with security camera footage from the area between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to contact the Whittier Police Department Homicide Bureau or submit tips anonymously through L.A. Crime Stoppers.
This tragedy marks another chilling reminder of the sudden and random nature of gun violence, which continues to impact communities across Southern California and beyond. As family members await answers, the neighborhood where the shooting occurred is left grappling with grief, uncertainty, and a renewed call for justice.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Whittier Police Department at (562) 567-9200 or provide anonymous tips through L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones as this investigation continues.