Vigil For Slain Culver City Football Player Ends In Gunfire

CULVER CITY, CA — What began as a solemn vigil for a Culver City High School graduate killed in a recent shooting ended in more violence Tuesday night when gunfire erupted near the crowd.

More than 200 people gathered at the Culver City High School football field Tuesday night for a vigil for 17-year-old Chyler Paton, who was killed outside a Torrance pool party last week shortly after graduating high school, according to Culver City Unified School Board President Triston Ezidore.

After the vigil let out, a fight erupted between several people and multiple gunshots were fired, Ezidore said.

Police responded to the scene at around 7:50 p.m. No injuries were reported. Officers remained on scene for nearly four hours, according to the Culver City Police Department.

Chyler, we are grateful to have been your coaches, teammates and teachers, rest easy young man. It was a privilege to be part of your life. You and your family are in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/qBU1Lah5H7
— Culver City Football (@CulverCityFB) June 19, 2025

The "preliminary investigation indicates this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing active threat to public safety," a department spokesperson said.

Culver City officials said they're working to "build a coordinated, citywide framework to prevent violence and protect youth" by working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, community-based organizations, and mental health providers."

"Our violence prevention work is proactive and grounded in care. We’ve implemented a multi-layered strategy that includes expanded mental health partnerships through CareSolace, restorative practices, ongoing staff training in trauma-informed interventions, and anonymous student reporting systems," Culver City Superintendent Brian Lucas said.

Paton was a CCHS varsity football player and had just graduated on June 13.

He was killed one week later at a pool party on the 23000 block of Huber Avenue in Torrance on June 20, according to police.

Paramedics arrived and treated him at the scene, but he ultimately died from his injuries. The Medical Examiner listed his cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

Paton was set to attend California State University, Dominguez Hills, in the fall, Fox 11 reported.

Hundreds were at the Torrance home, which had been rented out for an end-of-school pool party. Paton had arrived to pick up his brother from the party and was standing next to the homeowner in the driveway when an SUV rounded the corner and someone apparently fired shots out of the vehicle. Someone at the party fired back, CBS Los Angeles reported.

“When one young person is taken from us, the whole community suffers. Together, we can and must act to stop this cycle of violence," Ezidore told Patch in a statement.