On the night of August 24, 2024, Richard Mata, a 45-year-old father of three, was fatally shot in Carson, California. The shooting occurred around 11:35 p.m. in the 100 block of West 234th Street after a confrontation that involved 18-year-old Va’afatu Mativa and 22-year-old Raymond Maose. Investigators say Mata, seated in his vehicle, fired shots that struck Mativa, who was standing nearby; Maose allegedly returned fire and struck Mata. Both Mata and Mativa were pronounced dead at the scene. Mata’s vehicle then moved forward and struck a parked car in the 100 block of East 234th Street.

Mata had recently returned to Carson from Arizona and is remembered by family as a hardworking man who enjoyed fishing. His survivors include three children, Selina, Isaiah, and Stella; a GoFundMe page was set up to help with funeral expenses. Authorities have suggested the shootings may be gang-related and have arrested Maose in connection with the incident; the exact motive remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators.