18-year-old on dialysis, 45-year-old father of 3 identified as Carson shooting victims

An investigation is underway to determine whether two fatal late-night shootings in Carson are related, and family members have now identified the two victims.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to two separate locations – the 100 block of East 234 ^th Street and the 100 block of West 234 ^th Street near Main Street – just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found two men who had sustained gunshot wounds. It was later confirmed that one of them was found lying in the street while the other was found in a vehicle.

They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members of both victims were seen gathering at both crime scenes early Sunday morning. KTLA 5’s Annie Rose Ramos spoke to both families, one of which identified the victim they knew as a man named Richard Mata.

Mata, 45, was described by his sister as a hardworking family man with three children who liked to fish. A native of Carson, he recently moved back to the area from Arizona.

The other victim’s father told Ramos that his 18-year-old son, Vaa Fatu, was the other man who was shot and killed. Vaa’s father said he was he was a good, respectful and loving child who was on dialysis and recently got a brand new kidney.

The area will likely remain blocked off all day Sunday while the investigation continues, authorities told Ramos.

It is unclear if any suspects have been taken into custody.

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