Teens shot and killed in Carson were attending memorial for friend, authorities say

Two teenagers were shot and killed outside a home in Carson on Sunday night as they attended a memorial for a friend, authorities said Tuesday.

The shooting took place in the 20300 block of Alvo Avenue shortly before 9 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Responding deputies found a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl had been taken to a hospital, where they died from gunshot wounds to the upper torso, officials said.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified them as Erin Lavendar, 19, of Carson, and Dalelaja Hearn, 17, of Fresno.

The victims, who were friends, had been at the home to pay tribute to a man who is believed to have died from a drug overdose, sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean said.

A dark-colored SUV was seen leaving the scene, but investigators aren’t yet sure whether the vehicle belonged to a suspect or people fleeing the gunfire, Dean said.

There was no word on a motive or suspects, and authorities had made no arrests as of Tuesday morning.