Los Angeles, CA — In the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., tragedy struck the Westlake District as 36‑year‑old Brandon Stennett was fatally shot at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Westlake Avenue. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division swiftly responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Stennett unresponsive near the crosswalk. Despite life-saving attempts by the Los Angeles Fire Department, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County Office of the Medical Examiner later confirmed the identity of the victim as Brandon Stennett, a beloved local resident whose life was taken in a senseless act of violence. Community members and close friends described him as generous, passionate, and full of life—attributes now remembered with sorrow and admiration.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a suspect fleeing westbound on Wilshire Boulevard shortly after the shooting. As of now, the LAPD has not released a description of the suspect, and no arrests have been made. The case remains under active investigation by the LAPD West Bureau Homicide Unit, which is reviewing nearby surveillance footage and conducting interviews with potential witnesses. Investigators have appealed to the public for any information that could help bring clarity and justice to this devastating case.
This incident has amplified concerns in Westlake following a rise in reported early‑morning disturbances. Local leaders have called for greater community involvement and support for violence‑prevention initiatives, urging residents to stay vigilant and stand together.
For the family and friends of Brandon, the grief is profound. His passing is a poignant reminder of the toll that gun violence continues to exact on urban neighborhoods, cutting down lives and leaving countless others to mourn.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the LAPD West Bureau Homicide Unit or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑TIPS (8477).
