Shooting Erupts at Birthday Party; 1 Dead

A birthday party turned deadly when two alleged rival gang members exchanged gunfire, killing one person and wounding three, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said Sunday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Carrie Stuart said a birthday party for a 17-year-old man was underway when the alleged gang members confronted each other outside the house. Both men pulled handguns, exchanged gunfire, then fled the site.

Three partygoers were caught in the crossfire late Saturday night on Avenue R-12 near 35th Street East.

Carnell Hall, 20, died after being shot in the head. An unidentified 17-year-old male was shot in the arm and an 18-year-old was shot in the shoulder. Both teenagers were treated at Desert Palms Community Hospital in Palmdale and released.

Also wounded was Albert Jurgen, one of those who allegedly initiated the violence. Antelope Valley sheriff’s deputies said they found Jurgen and a large-caliber gun about half a mile from the scene of the shooting.

Jurgen was wounded in the right hip and treated at Desert Palms Community Hospital. He was later transferred to the jail ward at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He was booked on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and was being held without bail.

The other alleged gang member remained unidentified and at large. Officers said it is unclear what relationship, if any, the partygoers had to the assailants.