By Los Angeles County Politics
Four days after gunfire tore through a Fourth of July block party in Compton, no arrests have been made in the killing of Eric Washington, a former aide to Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson, Compton, Watts, Gardena, Wilmington), and beloved community advocate who spent his career fighting the very gun violence that took his life.
As of post time, sheriff’s investigators have yet to release a description of a single suspect in either of the two shootings that left Washington and two other people dead across the city over the holiday weekend.
Washington, 37, a community engagement manager at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), was fatally shot when gunfire erupted around 11:20 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the New Wilmington Arms Apartments in the 700 block of West Laurel Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, a 19-year-old nursing student, was also killed, and three others were wounded, including a juvenile.
“I am grieving — devastated by the loss and murder of this great young person. He tried everything possible to save Black and Brown boys in our community, especially against gun violence, and I am dismayed that what he fought against took his life,” Gipson said in a statement. “It is no surprise that during the moment of this terrible act, Eric was trying to save a community by preventing a situation that would have taken lives. This bravery cost him his own life.”
According to Gipson, Washington was attempting to de-escalate a conflict at the block party — an annual family gathering attended by children and seniors — when the shooting began. Washington died shortly after being transported to a hospital; Bordenave-Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the county medical examiner’s office.
Mayor Karen Bass mourned Washington in a statement Monday, recalling his work connecting Boyle Heights families to critical resources after the recent warehouse fire and organizing HACLA’s World Cup Youth Tournament.
“Los Angeles mourns the loss of Eric Washington, a devoted public servant who dedicated his talent and passion to serving the neighborhoods he loved,” Bass said. “Rather than seeking recognition, Eric chose a life of humble service, investing in young people and families across our city.”
A son of South Los Angeles and Compton, Washington attended Compton College before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Texas and a master’s in public administration from Grambling State University.
His career traced a map of South LA civic life, including serving as a staffer for former Los Angeles Councilmember Joe Buscaino, as a field deputy to Gipson, and working with the Watts Gang Task Force and the Watts Rising Collaborative.
He joined HACLA as an intern in 2019, returned in 2022 as a community relations specialist, and rose to community engagement manager. In Washington’s honor, Build Hope Inc., HACLA’s nonprofit affiliate, will establish the Eric Washington Community Impact Award beginning this year.
The violence extended beyond the Laurel Street party. Roughly an hour later and about two miles away, a man was killed and another person wounded in a shooting in the 2100 block of North Grandee Avenue. Sheriff’s investigators said there is no indication the two shootings are linked.
On Monday, grieving family members of all three victims joined community activists outside Compton City Hall to demand action against gun violence. Compton Mayor Emma Sharif called the pain of Washington’s loss unimaginable for his family.
Washington’s mother, Tina Johnson, told reporters at the Monday gathering that her son had refused her pleas to move with her to Texas because he was committed to giving back to Compton.
“Eric loved community. There was nothing Eric wouldn’t do for his community,” Johnson said. “I can’t put into words what they took from me. That was my firstborn child. My best friend. My shadow.”
Anyone with information on either shooting is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or at lacrimestoppers.org.
