2 Sisters Killed by Stepfather, Police Say

Police said Sunday that two women killed at a South Los Angeles birthday party were sisters, slain by their stepfather.

The stepfather, whose name has not been released, also was shot, police said. He was treated at a local hospital before being booked and taken to a jail medical facility.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the victims as Charlotte Johnson, who was celebrating her 30th birthday, and Sabrina Taylor, 22.

Another male family member may have been shot in the leg during the melee. His condition was unknown.

Police responded to a complaint called in at 8:30 p.m. Saturday about a noisy party, said Los Angeles Police Officer Sandra Escalante. But they arrived at a home in the 2000 block of West 84th Place to find a homicide scene.

“The stepfather became involved in an argument with family members,” said 77th Street Division Assistant Watch Cmdr. Tim O’Gorman. “He went and got a handgun and shot the two girls.”

“I heard about five or six different stories about why he did it,” O’Gorman said. “Someone said it was some argument about the music or something like that. You kind of shake your head. It was so strange -- like when you hear about someone getting shot over a parking space.”