PICO RIVERA, Calif. – The tight-knit community of Pico Rivera is in mourning after two deadly shootings occurred just days apart at local gas stations, leaving residents shaken and fearful. Friends and loved ones have identified the victim of the first shooting as Marc Sweet, a 36-year-old youth baseball coach remembered as a mentor, role model, and friend to countless young athletes.
The First Shooting: Aug. 21
Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said the violence began around 9 p.m. on August 21 at a Shell gas station located at the corner of Washington and Passons boulevards.
Sweet was gunned down in what investigators are calling a seemingly random act of violence. Officials confirmed that the suspect fled the area on foot and, as of now, remains unidentified.
Sheriff’s officials noted that there is no indication that Sweet knew the gunman, and investigators have not yet determined a motive.
The Second Shooting: Aug. 23
Just two days later, on August 23, tragedy struck again when a 13-year-old boy, identified by the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office as Saith Toledo Mendez, was fatally shot at a 76 gas station at Rosemead and Whittier boulevards—about two miles from the site of Sweet’s killing.
The boy’s mother, who worked at the station, often brought him with her because the family was homeless and living in a shelter. Friends say she feared leaving him alone in that environment. Like the first case, the gunman fled on foot and remains at large.
Though the proximity and timing of the shootings have fueled speculation, LASD has stated that investigators do not believe the two attacks are connected.
Remembering Coach Marc Sweet
In the aftermath of Sweet’s killing, grief has poured out across Southern California’s youth baseball community. On Monday evening, friends, players, and families gathered in Tarzana to celebrate his life and mourn his loss.
“He wasn’t just a coach, he was family,” said Ny Barajas, one of Sweet’s players in the Encino-based 365 Youth Baseball organization. “If I had nobody else to go to—mom, dad, brother, family—it was Marc. He just meant the world to me.”
Another ballplayer, Logan Sorrentino, remembered Sweet as a steady presence who always provided encouragement during tough times.
Longtime friend Dave Waco described Sweet’s gift for connecting with people across all walks of life:
“He just had a way about him. He knew how to calm people. You talk about connecting with people—Marc connected with all ages. He was willing to give a little bit more of himself first.”
To honor his legacy, friends and family have announced the launch of the Marc Sweet Memorial Baseball Tournament, scheduled for September. Proceeds will benefit local charities and scholarships, continuing Sweet’s lifelong dedication to helping young people succeed both on and off the field.
A Community on Edge
The dual tragedies have left residents in Pico Rivera shaken. Parents and community leaders are demanding stronger safety measures as law enforcement increases patrols.
With suspects in both shootings still at large, many locals have expressed deep unease at the thought that two lives—one a beloved coach, the other a teenage boy—were taken so violently within such a short span of time.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about either shooting to contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Carrying His Legacy
Though his life was cut short, Marc Sweet’s impact on the community continues. Through his work as a coach, he instilled discipline, hope, and confidence in countless young athletes. For many, he was more than a coach—he was a father figure, a trusted mentor, and a steady guide in uncertain times.
As candles were lit in his memory, one phrase echoed among those gathered: “Coach Sweet gave us more than baseball. He gave us life lessons we’ll carry forever.”