Jayren Bradford, 26, was shot and killed outside the Shoe Palace on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District on August 11, 2021, at about 12:30 p.m. He was arriving for his shift when he stepped in during a heated dispute among several people over a raffle for a pair of sneakers. Witnesses say Bradford tried to de-escalate and was backing away when someone produced a handgun and shot him. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead.

A 16-year-old was arrested the next day in South Gate and charged with murder; because of his age, authorities did not release his name. In February 2022 the juvenile pleaded guilty and received a seven-year custody term, the maximum under juvenile law. Bradford’s mother, Jessica Bradford, has been active at hearings and the community has left memorials outside the store.

Does anyone have information about the incident or memories of Jayren that could help preserve his story?