Javier Nathan Mejia was 17 and a resident of Los Angeles when he was killed on September 11, 2022. Born February 24, 2005, Javier died of a gunshot wound to the chest, which the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled a homicide. The shooting occurred on a sidewalk after Javier and another 17-year-old, Winfield Lee, had attended a street carnival in Lincoln Heights.

Police say the shooting followed a brawl earlier that evening at a nearby Arco gas station and appeared to be gang-related. The shooter was reported to have been riding a mountain bike and opened fire, fatally wounding both Javier and Winfield. Detectives from Central Bureau Homicide released a grainy image of a suspect and asked the public for assistance; the shooter remained at large.

Vigils and memorials were held as family and community members mourned Javier and called for justice. If anyone has information about the shooting or the suspect, contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Bureau Homicide.