LANCASTER, Calif. — A 19-year-old U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. Tevon Wade, was shot and killed after a Halloween party in Lancaster early Saturday morning. The suspect remains at large, and investigators are asking for the public’s help.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to reports of a shooting around 12:45 a.m. in the 100 block of West Avenue I. Wade was found at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead by responding paramedics. The county medical examiner later ruled the case a homicide.
Authorities said the shooting followed a fight that broke out inside the event. Police did not specify where the Halloween party took place, but the only businesses in the 100 block of West Avenue I are a gas station, a donut shop, and a Salvadoran restaurant.
“While outside the building, the victim was shot by an unknown suspect. The suspect fled in an unknown direction,” the department said in a statement.
Lance Cpl. Wade is a Belizean-American who joined the Marine Corps in July 2024 and was assigned to the Pasadena Inspector-Instructor (I&I) Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division.
Though 2/23 is a Reserve infantry battalion, Wade was serving on active duty at the time of his death, according to KTLA.
Being assigned to an Inspector-Instructor billet doesn’t mean a Marine is a Reservist; many are active-component Marines serving full-time at Reserve centers nationwide. In Lance Cpl. Wade’s case, that meant he was on active duty while stationed with the Reserve unit in Pasadena, helping support the local detachment of 2/23.
Friends describe him as a kind and responsible young man who was the main financial provider for his family.
“He was friendly, very respectful and kind,” one friend said.
“It is so sad that he had to leave this world in such a horrible way, but God will keep his spirit in a safe place,” wrote Justin Calderon, a senior Marine who organized a GoFundMe for Wade’s family.
A Marine Corps spokesperson issued a brief statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the death of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tevon Wade. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fellow Marines as they navigate this challenging time.”
The City of Lancaster has invested heavily in technology to combat violent crime, launching its Digital Shield Initiative in partnership with the Sheriff’s Department. The system integrates gunshot detection, license plate readers, drones, and AI-assisted surveillance to create what city leaders describe as a “protective dome” around the community.
Yet, despite these innovations, crime in Lancaster remains higher than the state average, according to CrimeGrade.org, with violent incidents concentrated in several central neighborhoods — including the area where the shooting occurred.
The Salty Soldier reached out to the Lancaster Police Department, but no one was available for comment. We also contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and are awaiting a response. This is a developing story, and The Salty Soldier will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Investigators urge anyone with information to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or via the P3 Tips app.
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