Family and friends gathered at the Manhattan Beach Pier on Wednesday to honor Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, a 19-year-old nursing student killed during a Fourth of July block party shooting in Compton. Bordenave-Jenkins and community activist Eric Washington died in the gunfire; as of Wednesday, no arrests have been made in the case.
The memorial service featured the release of dozens of balloons into the air, marking a public farewell for the nursing student who was entering her sophomore year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Bordenave-Jenkins was one of two people killed when gunfire erupted at a community celebration on West Laurel Street on Saturday, July 4.
The tragedy has left a void in both the Inglewood and Compton communities, where the victims were known for their aspirations and commitment to others. For the family of Bordenave-Jenkins, the loss is compounded by the nature of the event, which they describe as an insufficiently secured gathering.
Community Leaders and Family Gather at Manhattan Beach Pier
During the Wednesday night memorial, Ebone Jenkins, the mother of Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, spoke of her daughter’s lifelong ambition to enter the medical field. “She knew exactly what she wanted to do at a very young age and was preparing herself to do great things in life,” Jenkins said. She described her daughter as “extraordinary” and addressed the unknown perpetrator, stating, “you don’t know what you have done.”
Nijel Bordenave, the father of the victim, remembered his daughter as a funny person characterized by a bright smile and a genuine love for people. Bordenave-Jenkins had grown up in Inglewood and was visiting her grandmother, a resident of the city, at the time of the shooting.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts attended the memorial to support the family. Butts noted that he frequently encountered the victim’s grandmother at the city’s senior center. “Sweet, lovely, had the world ahead of her,” Butts said of Bordenave-Jenkins.
Details of the West Laurel Street Shooting
The violence occurred Saturday night during a block party on West Laurel Street in Compton. According to family members, a man armed with a gun opened fire into a crowd that included families and children. Two people were killed in the incident: Bordenave-Jenkins and Eric Washington, a local community activist.
The family of Eric Washington reported that he was shot while attempting to de-escalate a conflict that had broken out during the party. Washington was known in the area for his advocacy work and efforts to improve community relations.
Kayla, the sister of Bordenave-Jenkins and organizer of the memorial, raised concerns regarding the organization and safety of the Fourth of July event. She stated that the party should have been permitted by city officials to ensure proper security measures were in place. “There were a lot of things wrong with how that event was put together,” she said.
Investigation and Current Status
Law enforcement officials have not yet identified a suspect in the double homicide. As of Wednesday night, no arrests have been made in connection with the gunfire on West Laurel Street. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify the gunman and determine the motive behind the shooting.
The incident occurred amid a broader pattern of holiday violence in the region. According to reports from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, multiple shootings were reported in Compton over the holiday weekend, including separate incidents on July 5 that resulted in further casualties.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information regarding the West Laurel Street shooting to come forward. The case remains an open homicide investigation.
The next official update on the investigation is expected as evidence from the scene is processed and witness interviews are completed. Readers can follow official updates through the Compton Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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