Jimmy and Osmani Gramajo were remembered as happy, affectionate children as investigators worked to determine what led to the fatal shooting.
LOS ANGELES — Relatives are mourning two young brothers who were fatally shot in Los Angeles’ Pico-Union neighborhood, as police investigate their father in the deaths and family members struggle to understand what led to the violence.
The boys were identified by their family as 4-year-old Jimmy Gramajo and 11-year-old Osmani Gramajo. Los Angeles police said officers responding shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, found the two children suffering from gunshot wounds near Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street. Their 35-year-old father was also found with what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. All three were taken to hospitals, where the boys died.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the children’s father is the suspect in the double homicide and remained in custody while receiving hospital treatment. His parents identified him to NBC Los Angeles as 35-year-old Adolfo Gramajo, though police had not publicly confirmed his name as of Tuesday. Investigators said no additional suspects were being sought and there was no continuing threat to the public.
The killings have left the boys’ family and friends grieving at the intersection where the shooting occurred. Flowers, candles, balloons and other tributes were placed near the scene as relatives and community members gathered to remember the children. Family members described Jimmy and Osmani as cheerful and affectionate boys who were close to the people around them.
The children’s aunt, Maria Lopez, told NBC Los Angeles that the brothers were sweet and good children. Family friend Carlos Aguilar said they were happy children who had done nothing wrong. Their mother also remembered them in an interview with Telemundo 52 as joyful, loving and well-behaved. The family is Guatemalan, according to the station.
Information gathered by NBC4 Investigates from law enforcement sources provided additional detail about the hours before the shooting. The father was spending time with the children during a custody visit and had told their mother that his parents would be present, according to the report. He later left his parents’ home with the boys and took them to McDonald’s before the shooting occurred. Police have not announced what investigators believe motivated the killings.
The Los Angeles Police Department said Olympic Division officers were sent to the area at about 12:49 p.m. after receiving a radio call reporting a shooting. Officers found the children and their father wounded. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported them for emergency treatment, but both boys were pronounced dead despite efforts to save them.
Early public reports about the victims contained conflicting information about their ages and genders. Police later described both victims as boys, ages 11 and 4, and their relatives identified them as Osmani and Jimmy. Los Angeles County medical examiner records also classified both deaths as homicides.
The case is being investigated by the LAPD’s Juvenile Division. Police have not announced a motive, and authorities have not disclosed whether criminal charges have been filed against the father while he remains hospitalized. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have asked anyone with information to contact detectives.
For the boys’ relatives, the investigation is unfolding alongside an immediate and public period of mourning. The memorial near Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street has become a gathering place for people honoring Jimmy and Osmani while their family awaits answers about why the children were killed.
Author note: Last updated October 13, 2026.