A tragic incident unfolded at an unofficial HARD Summer 2025 afterparty in downtown Los Angeles, leaving Two Dead and Six Injured in Shooting at Unofficial HARD Summer Afterparty in Los Angeles, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Police Response and Initial Arrest
Authorities said officers first arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, after spotting a man who appeared to be armed entering the party. The event, described as a “large gathering,” was being held in downtown Los Angeles. Police arrested the individual believed to be carrying a gun and cleared the area.
Shots Fired in the Early Morning Hours
Despite the earlier police intervention, reports of gunfire came in just hours later around 1 a.m. Monday. When officers returned, they discovered multiple victims. A male victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while a female victim succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Six additional individuals, all suffering from gunshot wounds, were transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions remain unknown.
Investigation Underway
At this stage, authorities have not determined whether the shooting was gang-related. No suspect description has been released. Detectives continue to investigate, and the surrounding area will remain impacted for several hours as evidence is gathered.
Not an Official Festival Event
The LAPD clarified that the event where the shooting took place was not connected to the official HARD Summer festival. While Insomniac Events, the festival’s producer, hosted a number of sanctioned afterparties, this gathering was promoted as an “unofficial afterparty” on social media, as reported by KTLA. Billboard has reached out to HARD Summer representatives for comment.
HARD Summer 2025 Recap
HARD Summer 2025, held Aug. 2–3 at Hollywood Park at SoFi Stadium, featured high-energy performances from major acts including Feid, Dom Dolla, Kaytranada, Gesaffelstein, and Sara Landry. Despite the festival’s successful run, the violence at the unofficial afterparty has cast a shadow over the weekend.
