CANOGA PARK, Calif. — A tragic shooting in Los Angeles’ Canoga Park neighborhood has left a community in shock after twin 10-year-old boys and their father were found dead inside an apartment complex on Sunday evening in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex on Owensmouth Avenue at approximately 7:15 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered two children, later identified as Joseph Chavez and Greysen Chavez, along with a 37-year-old man believed to be their father, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators recovered a handgun from the apartment and have classified the incident as an apparent murder-suicide. The father’s identity has not yet been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
Neighbors told local media that a family gathering, possibly a birthday celebration, was taking place at the apartment complex before the shooting occurred. Residents described hearing police activity shortly after the incident and expressed disbelief over the tragedy.
“You can feel the sadness here,” one resident told reporters. Another neighbor described the incident as “tragic,” saying the young boys “never had a chance to have a life.”
Community members gathered near the apartment complex to offer prayers and support for the grieving family. Some residents left flowers and messages of sympathy as news of the shooting spread throughout the neighborhood.
Family members returned to the complex the following morning but declined to comment publicly. Personnel from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later removed the bodies from the scene.
The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division has assumed responsibility for the investigation and is working to determine the circumstances and motive behind the shooting.
Authorities have not released additional details, and the investigation remains ongoing.
