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NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES () — The family of 18-year-old Jaydin Lewis is mourning the aspiring marine biologist after he and a woman were shot and killed during a party inside a Northridge event venue on Friday night.
Police are still searching for the gunman.
Lewis’ family said he was looking forward to attending college and wanted to major in marine biology. He attended Stoney Point High School and had a twin named Jaylin.
“One of our own. We’ve never had this type of tragedy in our family… and this is just so hard for us,” Lewis’ aunt, Tara Maxwell Lewis, said.
The shooting happened at Artist Lounge on Nordhoff Street — just steps away from California State University, Northridge — where the owner said the venue was hosting a promotional event for an up-and-coming artist. The gunman opened fire inside while the venue was packed with guests.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it received a call about a loud party at Artist Lounge just after 11 p.m.
When officers arrived, they told the organizers to shut the party down, and shortly after that, shots rang out.
SEE ALSO: Manhunt continues for suspect who shot and killed 2 people at party in Northridge
A manhunt continues for the shooter who opened fire and killed two people during a party at a strip mall near CSUN on Friday night.
Cellphone video shows witnesses ducking for cover and scrambling to get away as gunshots rang out.
LAPD said both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim has not been identified, but was described by LAPD as a 19-year-old Hispanic female.
The owner, Irene Ajemyan-Lake, said a security guard was working at the venue when the shooting occurred.
“There was a security guard here, but like I said, somebody had bad intentions. They slipped through the cracks, and this is very unfortunate. It happened very quickly,” Ajemyan-Lake said.
Family members remembered Lewis as a kind and gentle person who cared deeply for his family.
“He was so kind and gentle, and he loved my mom so much. He was the only one who was there to help her,” Maxwell Lewis said.
She said Lewis was the life of the party and had dreams of making something of himself.
“Short life lived. He wanted to go to college. He just wanted to be somebody, and trust me, he was going to be somebody,” she said with a smile.
Ajemyan-Lake held a vigil honoring Lewis and the 19-year-old woman who was also killed. Family and friends lit candles outside the venue and in front of Lewis’ home.
Lewis’ family is urging the gunman to surrender.
“Turn yourself in because it’s the right thing to do. We’re looking for justice for my family, as well as the other family,” Maxwell Lewis said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Bureau Section at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (310) 726-7700 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
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