A tragic shooting during a pool party in Torrance, California, claimed the life of 17-year-old Chyler Paton on Wednesday night, sending shockwaves through the community. The Torrance Police Department responded to reports of gunfire just before 9 p.m. in the 23000 block of Huber Avenue. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered shell casings and found the young victim unresponsive. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Paton was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Paton’s family, the party was meant to be a celebration—an end-of-college pool party organized through the Swimply app, which allows people to rent private pools for gatherings. What was intended to be a joyous night of laughter, music, and fun quickly turned into chaos and tragedy.
Witnesses reported that the party took a horrifying turn as guests began leaving the property. They described hearing six initial gunshots, followed by at least four more in rapid succession—gunfire they believed to be return shots. Moments of panic ensued as partygoers fled the home, with security footage from a neighboring house showing dozens of terrified individuals running for safety.
One of the most striking aspects of the incident is the scale of the gathering. The homeowner, who spoke with CBS News Los Angeles, explained that he had rented the pool through Swimply with the expectation that approximately 20 guests would attend. However, the event quickly ballooned, with nearly 200 people reportedly showing up. This sudden surge in attendance overwhelmed the property and seemingly caught the host by surprise.
The homeowner also gave a chilling account of the moment the shooting began. He was standing in the driveway with Chyler Paton, waiting for his brother, when a white SUV slowly turned the corner and gunfire erupted. Someone from the back of the house appeared to return fire, and in the ensuing chaos, the homeowner realized that Chyler had been struck. The teen’s death left witnesses and the broader community devastated.
Chyler Paton was not known to the homeowner, and it remains unclear who the intended target of the shooting was. At this time, police have not released any details about possible suspects or motives. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
In the wake of the incident, Swimply released a statement expressing condolences and pledging cooperation with law enforcement:
“We are aware of the situation. We have reached out to the host to support in every way we can while the investigation is ongoing. Swimply maintains a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence, misconduct, and violations of our community guidelines.”
This tragic event raises serious questions about the safety and oversight of party-hosting platforms, particularly when gatherings spiral out of control. While Swimply provides a streamlined way for users to host events, the incident in Torrance highlights the potential risks when parties become unregulated and exceed expected attendance.
The Torrance Police Department is urging any witnesses or individuals with information about the shooting to come forward and assist with the investigation. Anyone who may have details is encouraged to call the department at (310) 328-3456.
