LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Calif. (KTLA) — Family, friends and teammates are mourning the loss of a college football player and dad after a tragic shooting at a birthday party.
A vigil was held Sunday night at El Camino College, where 22-year-old Ken McRoyal played football before transferring to the University of Idaho.
McRoyal, who played wide reviver, joined the Idaho football program as a walk-on last fall.
“I pray that you bless my teammates back in Idaho, Lord,” said Dominique Blackman, McRoyal’s cousin. “We all miss him, Lord.”
“Two days ago we were all celebrating him getting a scholarship and me throwing him our first touchdown pass.”
McDade had just found out he was getting a scholarship for his upcoming senior year, which he hoped would lead to a career in the NFL.
McRoyal’s girlfriend, Latrisse Williams, said he had come home from college to see her and their 1-year-old daughter.
“He just wanted to be a good dad. He wanted a connection with his daughter,” Williams said.
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The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the Brewery Lofts in the 600 block of Moulton Avenue.
The industrial building, located near the Los Angeles River, is the former site of the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery and was converted into work/live lofts in the late 1990s.
McRoyal was hit in the chest by gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
A second victim was shot in the arm and was taken to the hospital. The victim was listed in stable condition.
When police arrived, everyone had gone, leaving only McDade and one of his best friends, who was putting pressure on his chest to try to save his life.
According to police, McDade was not on the guest list, but he and his friend had stopped by.
Detectives say they’re not sure if McDade was the intended target.
Authorities are looking for as many as four suspects. No arrests have been made.
Originally from New Orleans, McRoyal was displaced following Hurricane Katrina.
He moved to Southern California, where he played football at Carson High School, then in junior college at El Camino.
“He was just the epitome of someone who earned it,” Blackman said of his cousin. “I mean, you know, look at his lifestyle. He survived Hurricane Katrina.”
“His family out here, his family in New Orleans… He just wanted to make them all happy and make them proud of him for everything that they’ve been through,” Williams echoed.
His coach at El Camino, John Featherstone, said McRoyal always had a smile on his face.
“He was just really coming into his own as a father and as a football player,” Featherstone said.
Head Football Coach Robb Akey of the University of Idaho released a statement saying, “It’s a devastating loss… We’ve lost a brother, a teammate, a family member. But, more importantly, a momma lost her son today.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Hollenbeck police detectives at (323) 342-896.
