The Sheriff’s Department said the victim was a juvenile, correcting an earlier report.
CERRITOS, Calif. — Los Angeles County homicide detectives searched Sunday for a gunman who shot and killed a teenage boy during an altercation outside a Cerritos business the day before, authorities said.
The shooting was reported at about 4:01 p.m. Saturday in the 18600 block of Gridley Road. Deputies found the wounded youth, who was treated by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics before being taken to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead there.
Investigators said the violence began as an altercation outside a local business. “During the altercation, the suspect shot the victim and then fled on foot and out of view,” the Sheriff’s Department said in its updated statement. Officials did not say how many people were involved in the dispute.
The department initially identified the victim as an adult male, but later issued a correction saying he was a male juvenile. His name was not released. Authorities also withheld details about the firearm, the number of shots fired and whether the victim and shooter knew each other.
The scene was near a Chick-fil-A at Los Cerritos Center, where video from local news helicopters showed deputies blocking off part of the area with crime scene tape. Evidence markers were visible near a drive-thru lane, and patrol vehicles remained in the shopping center area as detectives examined the scene.
No arrest had been reported by Sunday. The Sheriff’s Department did not release a suspect name, age, vehicle description or last known direction of travel beyond saying the shooter fled on foot. The motive also remained unknown.
The investigation now moves to witness interviews, surveillance video review and evidence processing. Homicide detectives are leading the case, with the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station assisting. Officials said no further details were available late Saturday.
The fatal shooting remained under investigation Sunday, June 14, as detectives worked to identify the shooter and determine what led to the confrontation.
Author note: Last updated June 14, 2026.