Police say the boys’ 35-year-old father is suspected of shooting his sons before suffering an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Two young brothers were fatally shot in Los Angeles’ Pico-Union neighborhood, and their father remains hospitalized in police custody as detectives investigate what authorities have described as a double homicide.
Los Angeles police said officers from the Olympic Division responded at about 12:49 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, to a reported shooting near Venice Boulevard and Catalina Street. Officers found two boys, ages 4 and 11, suffering from gunshot wounds and their 35-year-old father with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took all three to hospitals, where both children were pronounced dead. The father survived and was placed in custody while receiving treatment.
Relatives identified the brothers as 4-year-old Jimmy Gramajo and 11-year-old Osmani Gramajo. Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner records list their full names as Jimmy Gramajo Bonilla and Osmani Gramajo Bonilla and classify both deaths as homicides. Police initially released only the children’s ages and described them as two male victims.
The boys’ father was identified by his parents to NBC Los Angeles as 35-year-old Adolfo Gramajo. The Los Angeles Police Department had not publicly confirmed the suspect’s name in its initial statement on the investigation. Police said the suspect is the father of both children and that detectives believe he shot the boys before shooting himself.
NBC4 Investigates, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the boys had been spending time with their father during a custody visit. According to that account, the father told the children’s mother that his parents would be present during the visit. He later left his parents’ home with the boys and took them to a McDonald’s before the shooting. Police have not publicly identified a motive or fully detailed the circumstances surrounding the reported custody arrangement.
The investigation has been assigned to the LAPD Juvenile Division. Police said no additional suspects were being sought and authorities did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the surrounding community. Investigators have not publicly explained what occurred immediately before the gunfire or announced a motive in the killings.
Family members and community residents gathered near Venice Boulevard and South Catalina Street after the shooting, leaving flowers, candles and other tributes for the brothers. Their aunt, Maria Lopez, described the children to NBC Los Angeles as “so sweet, really good kids.” Family friend Carlos Aguilar said the boys were happy children who did not want to hurt anyone.
Early reports about the victims contained conflicting information about their ages and genders. The LAPD subsequently identified both victims as boys, ages 11 and 4. The department’s Oct. 12 statement described the suspect as their 35-year-old father and confirmed that he remained in custody while being treated at a hospital.
As of Tuesday, police said the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained under investigation. Authorities have not publicly established a motive, and the LAPD’s initial announcement did not identify criminal charges or a court date. Juvenile Division detectives continue to investigate the deaths while the boys’ father remains under medical care and in police custody.
Author note: Last updated October 13, 2026.