Investigators Work To Find Link Between 2 Los Angeles County Killings

CARSON, CA — Investigators worked Monday to find a link between the shooting deaths of two men on the same street in Carson and find out who shot them.

The shootings occurred about 11:35 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of West 234th Street and the 100 block of East 234th Street.

Arriving deputies found a man in the street suffering from gunshot wounds and immediately rendered aid to the victim.

"While on scene deputies located a second male in a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately rendered aid to the second male. Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced both males deceased at the scene," the LASD said in a statement Sunday.

Motive and suspect information were not immediately available.

Relatives of the two men told KTLA at the scene their names were Richard Mata, 45, and Vaa Fatu, 18. The Medical Examiner's office reported Mata was 44.

A GoFundMe page established by the family to raise money for his funeral said Mata was "a loving son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend," and that "Richard's most precious gift were his (three) beautiful children..."

As of Monday morning, the effort had raised $1,730 of a $10,000 goal.

Fatu's father told KTLA he recently underwent a kidney transplant.

Anyone with information regarding the shootings was urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

— City News Service