Man dead, 5 hurt after shots fired at Compton pool party

COMPTON, Calif. - One person was killed and several others were hurt after a mass shooting broke out at a pool party in Compton.

The Compton Fire Department and Los Angeles County deputies responded to a call along East Greenleaf Boulevard near Mayo Avenue in Compton around 8 p.m. Friday. 

Deputies said they saw about 100 people leaving the house.

"We heard people running and pow, pow, pow," said Ebony Smith, a neighbor. "It was multiple shots."

Smith and her 3-year-old daughter took cover after hearing the gunshots outside their home Friday evening.

"It was all really scary," said Smith. "We were on the ground when we heard the gunshots. It scared my baby more than anything. She’s just a toddler."

Deputies found Robert Abdelkader, 28, suffering from gunshot wounds; he died at the scene. Five other people — three women and two other men — were brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the Compton Fire Department said. 

Robert Abdelkader was shot and killed during a party at a Compton home on Friday, June 7. The shooter is on the run. / Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Close to where the shooting took place, one couple has a wedding scheduled Saturday evening. The couple said they almost had to cancel their plans.

"It almost didn’t happen, but luckily they were able to clear everything out and we can continue with our celebration," said Christian Lopez, the groom.

"I’m nervous already," said Liz Pardo, the bride. "I’m stressed out enough and to top this off, [the shooting] happening right in front, it’s scary."

Neighbors said they’re scared since the shooter or shooters haven’t been caught.

"I don’t know if I should keep the gates open when I have people over," said Pardo. "I have a little kid, so you have to be a little more aware."

"We don’t know what’s going to happen," said Smith.  "I really feel sorry for the mother who lost her son. Nobody should have to go through that. No mother should have to bury their child."

Officials are still investigating. No suspect description was immediately available.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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