28-year-old Robert Abdelkader shot dead at graduation pool party in Compton

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) – The manhunt continues for the suspects who opened fire at a pool party in Compton, killing a 28-year-old man who was working as a caterer for the party.

The heartbroken family of Robert Abdelkader III is demanding justice. His mother says investigators have clear video of the violence and, most importantly, of her son’s killer.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting occurred around 7:45 p.m. Friday in the 800 block of Greenleaf Boulevard.

When shots were fired at the graduation party, partygoers ran away in fear. Abdelkader died at the scene. Five others were injured and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the LASD said.

“They took my beautiful son. They took him away,” said Inez Tootie Adkins, Abdelkader’s mother.

Candles and Abdelkader’s truck, which he was driving off-road, now stand at the spot where he was shot. The businessman was hosting the party at the house his family rents out for events when the shooting occurred.

“Four gentlemen came in and started shooting. The party was over. Everyone ran away, the kids ran, and someone shot my son,” Adkins said.

Adkins ran out of the house and found her son with a gunshot wound to the head.

“He was a pillar of this community. He always helped the community. He gave what he could and we are devastated. We don’t understand why someone would do something like this,” said the victim’s uncle, Darris Adkins.

Inez Tootie Adkins says witnesses told her the suspects yelled gang slurs and then just started shooting, apparently aiming at someone in the crowd. The entire crime was captured on multiple security cameras. Adkins is pleading with her son’s killer to do the right thing and turn himself in.

“There are cameras that recorded everything. So we know who you are. Turn yourself in,” she said.

Adkins is convinced that it is only a matter of time before she gets the justice she wants for her son.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.