Shortly after 1:25 a.m. on April 1, 2023, deputies responded to a reported shooting at a house party in the 44000 block of Cerisa Street in Lancaster. Two men were found with gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. Samuel Ferrell III, 29 and a resident of Sun Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene; the Los Angeles County Coroner listed cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest and manner of death as homicide. A second victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators opened a homicide probe but have not released details about suspects or arrests. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

If anyone knew Samuel or was at that party and can help investigators, please come forward.