A promising young Latin music artist was killed and two others critically injured in what police are investigating as a gang-related shooting in Los Angeles early Saturday morning.
Maria De La Rosa, known professionally as DELAROSA, was fatally shot in the Northridge neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley just before 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Police Department identified the 22-year-old victim on Monday as their investigation into the deadly attack continues.
The shooting took place on Bryant Street, just east of Tampa Avenue, in what is typically a quiet residential block of Northridge. According to police reports, gunmen approached a parked vehicle on foot and opened fire on the occupants inside.
LAPD officials provided details about the attack in a statement released Monday. Witnesses reported seeing two male suspects walk up to the vehicle before the shooting began.
The suspects fired multiple rounds at the parked car, striking all three people inside.
Police characterized the attack as “ambush-style,” with the shooters approaching the stationary vehicle before unleashing gunfire at close range.
DELAROSA was transported to a nearby hospital by a private party following the shooting.
Despite medical efforts, doctors were unable to save her life.
The two other victims who were inside the vehicle survived the initial attack but remained in critical condition over the weekend, according to police reports.
Their identities have not been publicly released.
As of Monday, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting. LAPD detectives have not disclosed information about a possible motive for the attack.
Investigators indicated they suspect the shooting may be gang-related, though they have not confirmed whether the attack was targeted, random, or connected to any broader conflict.
The motive remains under investigation as detectives continue canvassing the neighborhood for information, according to the New York Post.
DELAROSA had been building a following in the Latin music scene, with just over 40,000 fans on Instagram.
She had released her single “No Me Llames” in August, marking her emergence as an artist to watch.
Following news of her death, fans flooded her final Instagram post with messages of grief and condolence. The post featured a carousel of studio photos showing the young artist at work.
One image in the post showed DELAROSA holding an electric guitar, accompanied by a caption in Spanish that read “Ocupada cocinando en el Stu,” which translates to “Busy cooking in the Stu[dio].”
Among those paying tribute was Jimmy Humilde, a renowned Mexican-American record executive, and Juan Moises, the lead singer of Los Gemelos de Sinaloa.
Music producer and engineer Times J Martinez also mourned the loss, describing her as a young and talented musician.
In a message written in Spanish, he expressed his sorrow over the violent nature of her death.
The shooting adds to ongoing concerns about gang violence in Los Angeles, particularly in areas where such attacks have become increasingly bold.
The brazen nature of the ambush, occurring in a residential neighborhood in the early morning hours, has again raised questions about public safety.
