16-year-old boy shot and killed at back-to-school pool party in Covina, police say

COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- Police are trying to piece together what led up to a deadly shooting at a back-to-school pool party in Covina on Saturday night.

Investigators say teens scattered from the home in Covina as officers arrived. Detectives learned a 16-year-old boy had been shot and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On Sunday night, a small vigil was held at the scene of the shooting.

Candles line the curb in tribute to the teen who was gunned down at the party. Neighbors say they are stunned by what happened.

"This is a very peaceful community, and yeah, we are shocked to hear something like this happened," neighbor Steven Zhang said.

The deadly shooting happened Saturday just after 10 p.m. Covina police responded to 911 callers who reported the sound of gunfire near the area of 600 E. Camellia Drive.

At the scene, police found a gun in the street.

"I hear, maybe two times, boom, boom," recalled neighbor Jeff Au.

Au lives nearby and estimates he saw more than 100 teens scattered throughout the crime scene.

"Why? Why make this trouble? I don't know why," Au said.

A 16-year-old boy who was shot was taken to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. A photo of the teen, who's believed to be from La Puente, was left at the growing memorial at the scene.

Witnesses told Eyewitness News they were surprised how things took a violent turn.

"It was a house party. It was supposed to be like a swimming party for everybody," said witness Vivian Ochoa.

"I have never, like, heard of an incident like this," said witness Kelly De La Rosa.

Cameras captured video of police detaining young people at the scene. A person of interest spat at the camera.

Another young person shouted the N-word while being detained by police, the video shows.

Investigators say they are still searching for the shooter, who they believe may have known the victim.

"I just hope things go back to normal and that they can get him," Zhang said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Preciado at the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5622.