A grieving family is urgently calling on Los Angeles County to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of their 17-year-old son, Chyler Paton. The recent Culver City High School graduate was fatally shot on June 18, 2025, while picking up his sibling from a pool party in Torrance, leaving a community in mourning and a family desperate for answers.

Chyler Paton, a celebrated student-athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and track, was gunned down in the driveway of a home in the 23000 block of Huber Avenue, near Sepulveda Boulevard and Walnut Street. Torrance Police responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 8:58 p.m., finding shell casings and Paton unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite efforts by Torrance Fire Department paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, August 1, 2025, Paton’s family, joined by local community leaders, held a press conference to implore L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Board of Supervisors to introduce a reward motion to encourage witnesses to come forward with information about the unsolved murder. The family emphasized Chyler’s bright future, noting his plans to attend California State University, Dominguez Hills, to study criminal justice with aspirations of becoming a criminal defense attorney or judge.

“Chyler was well-respected, he played football, he played basketball, and he ran track,” said his father, Christley Paton, during the press conference. “He was a good kid, a smart kid … never got into any trouble.” His mother, Tyesha Hansborough, fought back tears as she shared her pain: “How would you feel? Chyler was a good kid. I just took him to his college orientation the day before. He picked his classes out, and the next day, in a matter of two hours, it was over.”

The tragedy was compounded when a vigil held for Paton on June 24, 2025, at Culver City High School’s football field, where he once played as a starting running back, was disrupted by gunfire. An estimated 200 to 300 mourners had gathered to honor Paton when a fight broke out, leading to shots being fired. No injuries were reported, and Culver City Police arrested 20-year-old Jonathan Plater for attempted murder in connection with the vigil shooting. However, authorities have not confirmed whether this incident is linked to Paton’s murder, and no suspects have been identified in the teen’s killing.

Chyler Paton’s death has left an indelible mark on the Culver City community. Described as a loving son, brother, classmate, and teammate, he was a standout athlete who contributed to the Culver City High School football team’s victories, including games against Palos Verdes, Dorsey, and Capistrano Valley. His dedication extended beyond athletics; Paton’s perseverance transformed early academic challenges into a path toward higher education. He also engaged in community service, notably helping at a Christmas tree lot in Inglewood, where he was remembered for his kindness.

The ongoing investigation by the Torrance Police Department has yet to yield arrests in Paton’s murder, and the motive for the shooting remains unclear. A GoFundMe campaign established to support the family with funeral expenses highlights the community’s solidarity, describing Chyler as a “rising star” whose loss has devastated those who knew him.

Culver City leaders, including Mayor Dan O’Brien, School Board President Triston Ezidore, and Superintendent Dr. Brian Lucas, have expressed their commitment to addressing youth violence in the wake of this tragedy. They are advocating for enhanced mental health services, community-based violence prevention programs, and stronger collaboration with local agencies to ensure student safety.

Anyone with information about Chyler Paton’s murder is urged to contact the Torrance Police Department at (310) 328-3456. For information related to the vigil shooting, contact the Culver City Police Department Watch Commander at (310) 253-6202 or Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza at [email protected].