Man Killed, 2 Injured During Melee at Party

One man was killed and two others were injured Sunday when a Lancaster party erupted into a melee, authorities said.

Merle Grinder, 22, died after he was shot several times in the chest during the fight that broke out about 12:30 a.m. at a house in the 46400 block of 80th Street West, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Britta Rodela said.

It was unclear why the fight started, and investigators were questioning party-goers in search of leads, Rodela said. About 70 people attended the party, the hosts of which charged admission to pay for alcohol.

Also injured in the violence was Michael McGowan, 25, of Boron, who was stabbed several times in the chest, Rodela said. He was in fair condition at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center. Joseph Gray, 24, of Lancaster was treated at the same hospital for facial injuries and released, Rodela said.

Neither the gun nor the knife used in the attack had been found Sunday afternoon, Rodela said.