Fourteen-year-old Benny Molina was fatally shot on May 13, 2024, at El Dorado Park in Lancaster, California. The shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. in the 44500 block of Fifth Street East while Benny was with friends; members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department say he and others had been painting over gang-related graffiti when multiple shots were fired from a vehicle in the parking lot. Benny suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Benny played offensive line on his youth football team and was remembered as protective and loyal by his family. His mother, Rosalie Gutierrez, a single parent and social worker, learned of his death through social media. A memorial with candles, flowers and balloons was placed near the site, and a GoFundMe for funeral expenses raised more than $16,000.

No arrests have been announced and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org. Did anyone in the Lancaster area see a vehicle leaving the park that night or have information about the shooting?