Hawthorne, CA — A devastating act of violence has claimed the life of a mother and beloved community member after a shooting unfolded outside a sports bar in the early hours of Friday morning. Amber Laflora, 37, was identified as the victim who was gunned down in a crowded parking lot outside the VIP Sports Bar, located in the 11000 block of South Inglewood Avenue.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred around 1:50 a.m. when multiple 911 calls reported gunfire erupting in the parking lot of the shopping center that houses the sports bar. When deputies from LASD and officers from the Hawthorne Police Department arrived on scene, they found Laflora suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite rapid intervention, she was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Officials have confirmed that no arrests have been made as of Saturday morning, and the suspected shooter remains at large. Investigators believe the suspect is an adult woman who fled the scene in a silver luxury vehicle. Authorities are pleading with the public for help, noting that a large crowd—estimated at 40 to 50 individuals—was present at the time of the shooting.
“We’re asking for the public’s help because we know there were people out here who saw something,” said Lt. Steve De Jong of the LASD. “Any information, no matter how small, could help us piece together what happened and who is responsible for this senseless act.”
A Mother’s Life Cut Short
Amber Laflora’s death has sent shockwaves through the Hawthorne community and beyond. According to friends’ social media tributes and interactions, she was a mother—possibly of six children—who had recently been preparing for a birthday celebration in August. Posts on her social media page show that she had been enjoying a karaoke night inside the VIP Sports Bar just hours before her life was taken.
Tragically, what started as a night of celebration turned deadly following a dispute. Preliminary reports suggest that an argument erupted inside the bar, which later spilled into the parking lot. Witness accounts indicate that Laflora had been sitting inside a vehicle when she was confronted again by the suspect. In a chilling twist, unconfirmed witness statements from TNLA suggest she may have been forcibly dragged from the car and shot multiple times in the abdomen.
Officials have not publicly confirmed these graphic details, but are urging anyone who saw what happened to come forward.
A Scene of Chaos and Mourning
TNLA footage captured in the aftermath of the shooting shows a heavy police presence as officers secured the scene. Crime scene tape cordoned off a wide perimeter around the parking lot while investigators began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Some individuals remained on site, visibly shaken, waiting to provide statements to law enforcement.
The public is being encouraged to assist in the ongoing investigation. Anyone who was at the scene or who has any information—photos, videos, or observations—is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477)
A Call for Justice
As friends and family members begin to process the unimaginable loss of Amber Laflora, community members are left grappling with grief and frustration. Many are calling for justice, accountability, and greater safety measures in public gathering places.
“She had so much life left. She was funny, loyal, and loved her kids more than anything,” wrote one of Laflora’s friends on social media. “This shouldn’t have happened to her. We need to find out who did this.”
As the investigation continues, the legacy of Amber Laflora—daughter, friend, and mother—will not be forgotten. Her death marks yet another heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can be shattered by violence, and how deeply it echoes through every community left behind.
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