Father Fatally Shot at Wilmington Pizza Restaurant While Breaking Up Fight on His Birthday

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Father at pizza party celebrating his birthday gunned down and killed after trying to break up fight between 2 women: Cops – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)

Wilmington, Los Angeles – A 26-year-old father was killed Saturday evening inside a popular neighborhood pizza restaurant while trying to separate two women who had begun fighting during his birthday celebration. The shooting also wounded a restaurant employee in his 20s, who was later treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a nearby hospital. Authorities said the gunman fled the scene immediately after firing and remains at large.

The Shooting at Red West Pizza

Andres Castellas had gathered with family members at Red West Pizza in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles to mark his 26th birthday. The evening began as a joyful occasion surrounded by loved ones, according to a family fundraiser. The mood changed abruptly when two women started fighting inside the restaurant.

Castellas stepped in to break up the altercation, police said. A man then opened fire, striking Castellas and the employee. Castellas was pronounced dead at the scene. The employee was transported to a hospital and is expected to recover.

Investigators have not released additional details about the sequence of events or any possible motive. The Los Angeles Police Department is treating the case as an active homicide investigation.

Castellas Remembered by Family

Family members described Castellas as a devoted father whose life was taken in a senseless act. A GoFundMe page created to support his relatives noted that he was “surrounded by love and happiness” moments before the shooting. The page added that the loss feels especially difficult because Castellas was innocent and had simply tried to help.

Relatives emphasized that the birthday gathering was meant to create lasting memories. Instead, it ended in tragedy that no one present could have foreseen. The fundraiser continues to collect donations for funeral expenses and support for Castellas’s young child.

Search for the Suspect and Community Reaction

Police described the shooter as a Hispanic man between 20 and 25 years old. He ran from the restaurant after the gunfire and has not been identified or located. Detectives are asking anyone with information or video footage to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

Neighbors expressed shock that violence erupted at a family-friendly spot. One resident who lives nearby told local news that children are frequently at the restaurant and that the shooting has left many people uneasy about gathering in public spaces. The establishment is viewed as a community staple, making the incident particularly unsettling for longtime customers.

Authorities continue to urge witnesses to come forward as they work to identify and arrest the person responsible for the shooting.