Erin Kayla Lavender was 19 and a sophomore at Compton College when she was shot and killed on December 15, 2019. She and a friend, 17-year-old Dalelaja Francis Denise Hearn, had attended a vigil at a residence on Alvo Avenue in Carson that evening. As they were preparing to leave and got into their car, someone began shooting into the vehicle. Both young women drove themselves to the hospital but died of gunshot wounds to the chest; Erin was pronounced dead at 9:08 p.m. and Dalelaja nearly two hours later.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows two suspects approaching the car and firing indiscriminately. A dark-colored SUV was seen leaving the area and investigators also asked the driver of a light-colored SUV seen nearby to come forward. Authorities described the attack as senseless and said no motive was apparent; a $30,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Erin played softball at Compton College and her team dedicated the season to her memory.

Anyone who was at the vigil or saw the vehicles or suspects that night is asked to share information with investigators.